Century celebrations
Airly Primary School Prep students
Maks, Athena and Amarah proudly show off the new book, ‘100 Years of Airly School,’ which has been launched just in time for the school’s centennial celebrations. STORY
Fighting fatigue
Blake Metcalf-Holtand Stefan Bradley
LOCAL paramedics and union members last Thursday, tiredand angry, protested outside the Morwell office of state government frontbencher Harriet Shing, with others meeting with Member for Gippsland South Danny O’Brien at his Sale office as part of along-standing campaign over work conditions. Members of the VAU (Victoria Ambulance Union) demanded that Ms Shing, the Member for EasternVictoria Region,support their fight forbetter working conditions to combat fatigue fromlong work hours. They also argued for further boosts to the healthcare budget.This follows alengthy battle for stronger health and safety procedures for Victorian paramedics, whose concernswere brought to the brink after alife-threatening incident to North East Melbourne paramedic, Jim Avard, who fell asleep behind the wheel during an
18-and-a-half hour shift. The VAUhave been desperately trying to reach anew agreement in principle with Ambulance Victoria throughanew EBA (Enterprise Bargaining Agreement), but union members say that Ambulance Victoria isn’t prepared to come to the table.
“The main thing is related to fatigue and end-of-shift management, we’re not actuallyaskingfor abigger pay rise like the nurses,we’re asking for safer working conditions,” adelegate memberofthe VAU statecouncil and local paramedic, Phill Bell said.
“We’ve been saying to Ambulance Victoria, we want better end-of-shift management so thatwe’re not put in those positions where we’re trying to work and drive,14, 15, 16 hours into the shift. It’s just not safe and it’s not fair, and that’s the issues wherethey aren’t willing to meet us (on), which is unreasonable.”
The passionate yet fed up ambulance workers have been attempting to speak
with Ms Shing but had not heard from her. The result was the demonstration at her Morwell office for hours to demand her to show her support by pushing for arise in the ambulance budget.
Bernard Goss, part of the VAU is a long-time Sale AmbulanceAuxiliary member and paramedic of more than 45 years.Hesaid it was notunusual for an ambulance to be ramped for eight or more hours during ashift as the paramedic must remain with the patient until the hospital is freed up, meaning they may only tend to one person during their shift.
“The government needs to fix the rampings at the hospitals because ramping’s abig issuefor the ambulances. that means that they can’t respond to anyother jobs,” Mr Goss said.
“So what we are wanting the government to do is fundthe health services properly to enable it to workproperly becauseit’sjustnot working at the moment.”
Sincethe protest, Mr Goss said they’ve spoken to Harriet Shing.
“(MsShing) is aware of some of the issues and she will speak to the Health Minister to put our concerns,” he said.
“It’s await and seeifthey’ll do anything.
“This is not so muchabout trying to get abig pay rise or anything, it’s about working conditions improving so that peopleactuallyhave awork-life balance.”
In astatement to the Gippsland Times, astate government spokesperson said that workplace bargaining in this matter is between Ambulance Victoria and the VictorianAmbulance Union.
“We value the dedication and hard workthatour paramedics do every day -they play acritical role in keeping Victorians healthy and safe, and we thank them for their service to the state,” the spokesperson said.
Continued -Page2
Ambos: Fight againstjob fatigue
FROM PAGE 1
“WE expect Ambulance Victoria and the Victorian Ambulance Union to continue to negotiate in good faithand reacharesolution as soon as possible.”
Mr Goss said he has been planning on retiring, but whilst these union issuespersist he’ll keep fighting alongside his colleagues.
VicRoads has reported that if adriver has been awake for 17 hours or more that it is the equivalent of being over the 0.5 blood-alcohol limit.
“At what point is that paramedic not able to make arational call about what their own fatigue is, at what point does (Ambulance Victoria)have a duty of care to their stafftobelike‘Iknowyou can’t make areasonable call right now because the data says you are fatigued regardless of what you’re saying’ and they’re not taking that duty of care,” Mr Bell said.
Other key areasoffocus the union hopes for AmbulanceVictoria to consider includes the issues of ambulance ramping at regional hospitals (like at Latrobe RegionalHospital) and direct recognition to Ambulance Community Officers (ACOs), who volunteer theirtimeto alleviate the pressures of the paramedics’ work load.
ACOs say that they are being used as free
labourinshifts lastingaslong as 10 hours.
“We don’t get paid to do our truck check, we don’t get paid to stock our truck or sign mediations in and out at the start of every shift, we don’t get paid for anything,” ACO Samantha Pierce said.
“We get paid if we get ajob, but I’ve personally sat there for nine shifts in arow and not got one job, so that’s ninety hours I’ve dedicated of my time for zero dollars for me (being there) and they don’t recognise that, they don’t care, so we’re asking for an on call allowance that makes it fair.”
Mr Bell said that at the moment, the paid workforce was so thin and overworked, there was areliance on AOCs. If that pillar evaporated, the Gippsland area could have about five ambulances overnight in the entire region.
“It really does show that the system is broken when you can’t run an ambulance service without volunteers; that’s not aviable ‘business as usual model’ because they’re volunteers. They could not turn up if they didn’t want to, they are under no obligation to do so,” he said.
“It’s in dire straits and without theseguys(ACOs), everyone in the (Latrobe) Valley would be in real risk of losing their life.”
Local paramedic LibbyHunter, whohas a10-year backgroundvolunteeringinWesternAustralia, said
that she received an honorarium to cover aportion of the foodand fuelduring ashift; in contrast, Ambulance Victoria denies them a$5per hour on-call rate for ACOs.
“It’s like being in areally toxic relationship. You want to love your employer, we love what we do, we love our patients, and we love our community and it’s why we do it... we’re literally getting shoved into this box by our employer and being told we’re wrong, we’re wrong, we’rewrong, (that) we’re complaining, we’re whinging and just treating us likeapackofratbags really when we’re askingfor things that are really simple,” Ms Hunter said.
Theissue of ramping involves the patient flow through from the ambulance into the care of ED (Emergency Department) which has created constant clutter impedingparamedics from delivering patients safely and continuing on with their shift to help others in the community.
Paramedics duringthis periodofindustrial action have constructed intuitivemeasures to support fellow workers during ramping instances called ‘a-podding’.
“A-podding is where we look after the patient of another crew on the ramp so that crew can be released, we will do that amongst ourselves if it’s ahealth and wellbeing situation, so if somebody’s
really latefor amealbreak, somebody’s about to go (into) overtime, we will do that amongst ourselves to makesure thatwelook out for our own,” Ms Hunter said.
Ms Hunter says that Ambulance Victoria guilt tripworkers into doingmore than they’re individually capable of, not encouraging a-podding, and that they simply don’t care.
Mr Goss organised ameeting withDannyO’Brien at his Sale office the same day as the protestin Morwell. Agroup of about adozen paramedics, including Mr Goss, said he wanted to ensure that Mr O’Brienwas “aware of whatwas going on”, and that he can discuss these issues with the government and “put abit of pressure on”.
Mr O’Brien said,“It was good to listentothe paramedics about their concern and particularly their frustration that the government and Ambulance Victoria don’t seem to understand the challenges of distance and lack of resources for paramedics in regional areas like Gippsland.
“The government continues to blamethe pandemic for the state of our healthsystem and ambulance services, but despite multiple initiatives and claims of billions of dollars from Labor, the system is not functioning well for patients and it’s paramedics who are taking the strain.”
Victorian Ambulance Union members held aprotest out the frontofLabor MP Harriet Shing’s office in Morwell
Photo:Blake Metcalf-Holt Paramedics meet with DannyO’Brien at his Sale office.
Photo: Contributed
Regional Vic rental prices soar high
REGIONAL Victoria’srental prices have climbed by 4.7 per cent in the year to June 2024, accordingtothe PropTrackMarket Insight Report, released last Friday.
The report found that regional Victoria’s median advertised rent rose by $20 over the year to reach $450 per week.
Themedianrent in regional Victoria held steady at $450 over the past quarter to be 4.7 per cent higher than in June 2023.Regional Victoria unit rents rose 5.6 per cent over the year to sit at $380 per week, outperforming house rent growth of 4.4 per cent over the year to sit at $470 per week.
Melbourne’smedian advertised rent reached $575 in June, jumping $55 per week from a year before.
Rents are now sitting 10.3 per cent higher compared to 12 months ago across Australia’s capital citiesand 8per cent higher in regional areas.
Unit rents have outpaced houses, both over thequarter as well as year-on-year. This has narrowed the gap between the asking rents of houses and units, with houses commanding just a$30 premium in the capital cities.
The costofrentinganapartment climbed across Australia’s capital city and regional areas over the June quarter, as persistently low vacancies and population growth drove demand for rental properties higher.
Maffra Neighbourhood House will reopen for Term Three on Monday, July 15 from 9am until 4pm, Monday to Friday.
Cameron from Senshi Fitness will be running apop-up exercise session at Maffra Neighbourhood House on Saturday, July 20 at 11am. The session is to show participants how to keep fit and healthy at home. There will be an exercise sheet to take home to continue the routine. Session cost is $15.
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67 Macalister St,Sale
Airly’s fascinating history captured
PUBLISHED in time for their centennial celebrations, 100 Years of Airly School is afascinating snapshot of the land that makes up Airly Primary School.
Once traversed by the Brayakaulung people then subdivided for farming and again for a Soldier Settlement Scheme,itwas the latterwho created the demand for aschool 100 years ago.
The impetus for the book was Margaret'Airlie’ Chown, nee Sanders; daughter of one of the 16 returned soldiers granted land at Airly. She noted the hardships caused by the settlement with the blocksbeing too smallfor intensive farming, and alackofirrigation and tools: "One of our neighbours, Phil Adams, set about digging one of his paddocks with ashovel as he had no farm implements and no money."
Chown’s work was added to by many, including amateur historian and current parent, Daniel Parker-Estoppey. GunaikurnaiElder, Lynette Solomon-Dent also assisted with our understanding of the landbeforeithoused Airly Primary School.
The story is afascinating tale that spans time and culture, from Dreamtime to British Settlement policies. There’s the story of Borun and Tuk, mention of Angus McMillan, flooding, drownings, politicsand multiplegenerations still linked to the small rural school.
The book is availablebyreaching the school directly or via the Airly Primary School Facebook page. It willalsobeavailableatthe school on Saturday, October 12 at the school’s centenary celebrations. Airly Primary School is welcoming anyone to drop in and have achat, participate in olden-days-style games, or to just walk around and view displays and the beautiful grounds. The day will start with aWelcome to Country from 11am and conclude around 3pm at 226 Airly Estate Rd, Airly.
For more information, email geraldine.carter2@ education.vic.gov.au or phone 5149 8251.
Chasethe afternoon up with an eveningatthe Airly Clydebank Hall, celebrating its 120th at 556 Clydebank Road, Airly between 3pm and 6pm. More information about this event can be found by emailing airlycbhall@gmail.com or phoning 0427 456094.
Retired principal, Brenda Talbot,receives the first book offthe press from Daniel Parker-Estoppey.
New approach to tackle fires
PhilipHopkins
ALEADING forestry expert has strongly criticised opponents of prescribed burning in forests and has urgedaradical newapproach combining traditionalIndigenous knowledge and bushfire science to tackle bushfire policy.
Dr Tony Bartlett AFSM,anindependent forestry consultant, told abushfire conference in Melbourne that aquantum shiftinthinking and practice was neededtomanageclimate change impacts on native forests.
“The increasedfrequency of high intensity landscape-scale wildfires is having an impact on forest resilience,” he said in apresentation to the Forestry Australia Forest Summit.
“For forest fire management, we need adaptive and innovative actions drawing from both traditional knowledge and bushfire science.”
Dr Bartlett was one of athree-person, expert panelthat conducted aCommonwealth-State reviewtoassess the impact of the 2019-20 bushfiresonthe modernised Regional Forest Agreements. The other members of the panel wereaVictorianTraditional Owner, Katherine Mullett, and the Victorian Commissionerfor Environmental Sustainability,DrGillian Sparkes AM.
Dr Bartlettcriticised commentsmadebyacademic opponents of prescribed burning -DrPhil Zylstra and Professor David Lindenmayer -in the Canberra Times on May 17 this year and in The Conversation on March 23 this year. These quotes were:
“Our research has shown that native forests can become more flammable -not less- as a result of prescribed fires”;
“Disturbances such as prescribed burning lead to pulses of flammable regrowth”;
“Prescribed burning too often has short-term benefits but long-term costs”, and;
“Burning made WA forests on average seven times more flammable for 43 to 56 years”.
Dr Bartlett emphasised that the findings from this “landmark” research were inconsistent with those from the extensive body of Australian bushfire research.
“They do not match the lived experience in many forests burnt by severe wildfires,” he said.
“Prescribed fire is the solution not the problem. Passive management is failing our forest ecosystems.”
Dr Bartlett said it was critical to debunk the academic myth that prescribed burning was only effective and appropriate close to high-value houses.Heindicatedthere are six reasons to conduct prescribed burning in forests:
Protection of built assets and critical infrastructure;
Increasing the probability of success of direct fire suppression operations;
Enhancing the options and practicality of conducting indirect suppression operations, when implemented in proximity to strategic fire trails;
Increasing the resilience of forest ecosystems to the impacts of repeated severe wildfires;
Reducing wildfire severity in areas next to fire-sensitive ecosystems or to create flora and fauna refugia within landscape-scale wildfires, and;
Protecting water quality, by limiting the prospect of vegetation close to reservoirs and streams being severely burnt.
Dr Bartlett said the resilienceofdry forests was also being compromised by repeated intense wildfires, resultinginareas of forest that resemble burnt-out matchsticks.
“Do ecologistsreally believe these forests will survive underpassive forest management regimes?” he said.
Now based in Canberra, Dr Bartlett worked for manyyears in EastGippsland,but the main forces
drivingforest ecology are the same throughout Australia.
At Canberra’s Cotter Catchment, in 2006, three years after 2003 bushfires, the water quality was severely compromised, resulting in construction of anew filtration plant.
In 2020, where prescribed burning had been conducted in the Cotter catchment, Dr Bartlett said fire severity was greatly reduced.
“However, environmental concerns had precluded burningslopesadjacenttothe dam, andthese areas were very intensely burnt” he said.
Dr Bartlett said modern science forest management had muchtolearnfromAboriginal fire practices.
ABandjalang Aboriginal community member in northern NSW described the forest structure after the 2020 fires as “upside-down forest”, and said that “this forest is now so dense that an emu can no longer run through it”.
“Fire management is all wrong -now after a bushfirethe forest managers are not allowedto
Local MP ‘absent’on Gippyissues
Comment
DannyO’Brien
IWAS bemused to see a“comment” piece on nuclear energy in the Gippsland Times (2/7/24) by State LaborUpper House Member for Eastern Victoria, Tom McIntosh. Probablymanyreaders were too, because they were likely asking: “Who is Tom McIntosh?”
And they were probably asking why the first they’ve heard of their State Upper House MP is him debating the policy of the Federal Opposition.
On the issues at State Government level, he and his Labor colleague Harriet Shing have been completely missing in action.
Where was Tom batting for Gippsland when his government made the decision to shut down the sustainable native timber industry costing jobs across our region?
We haven’t heard athing from him about the cuts to local hospital budgets announced two weeks ago, nor has he been standing up for local hospitals in the face of Labor’s proposed mega-mergers.
We didn’t hear boo out of Tom when Labor was cutting the roads budget and leaving Gippslanders with goat tracks to drive on.
He’s saidnothing about the$350 million blow-out on the Gippsland rail line upgrade, nor the fact that there is not even acompletion date for this project, let alone any timeline when we might get some new train services out of it.
Labor is sending Victorians towards astate debt of $188 billion and adaily interest bill of $25 million in afew year’s time.
Butherewehave“our” Labor representative more worriedaboutwhatthe Federal Opposition is doing -the Liberals and Nationals aren’t even in Government in Canberra! Why wouldn’t Mr McIntosh be focussed on the cost-of-living crunch his own government has caused for Gippslanders with 53 new or increased taxes since Labor came to power, including massive hikes to land tax that are now crippling Gippslanders and sending rents soaring?
burn for around 10 years (under the NSW Bushfire Environmental Assessment Code),” Dr Bartlett said.
However, the Bandjalang had explained that “In the past, after abushfire, we used to do cool burning of these areas in the following summer, burning the grasses which also killed some of the regenerating wattles and eucalypts”.
Dr Bartlett saidinthe ACT,all of the 7430 hectaresoffire-sensitive Alpine Ash forest had been burnt in two wildfires since 2003.
“About two-thirds of the alpine ash was burnt in both 2003 and 2020 -about onethird was burnt twice at high severity and is now lost as there was no seedonthe youngtrees to regeneratethe burnt forest. Another third of these fire-sensitive forests burnt at low intensity, including areas that were part of backburns in 2003,” he said.
“Prescribed burning adjacent to and (when appropriate) within remnant Alpine Ash may enhance the resilience of this important forest ecosystem to future wildfires.”
Or explaining to us why he and his colleagues have turned their backs on gas and areeffectively trying to ban its use?
Even when spruikingthe State Government’s renewableenergy credentials,Tom forgot to mention his government’s deliberate policy to takeawayVCATappealrights for Gippslanders when it comes to new renewables projects and transmission lines.
Or the fact they’ve chosen Hastings as their preferred offshore wind construction port rather than Gippsland’s own Barry Beach. Mr McIntoshisfree to giveushis opinion on federal policy matters -itjust wouldn’t hurt if he actually stood up for Gippslanders on the calamitythat is his own government right here in Victoria.
Danny O’Brien is The Nationals State Member for Gippsland South.
ENERGYSTORIES -PAGES 10 and 11
Photo: istock
Dr Greg Steele
Dr Reeha Nandha
Meta’s threattofreelocal
Comment
Andrew Schreyer
LAST month, Country Press Australia
(CPA) -the largest representative association of newspaper publishers in Australia -appeared before ajoint hearing in Canberra into social media and its impacts on Australian society.
The hearing was convened out of concerns about the negative impacts social media platforms have upon our community, including the recent decision by Meta to no longer pay news publishers for content posted to the company’s platforms.
That announcement has been met with anger, frustration, disappointment, worry and concern among news publishers, and the news industry shares the concerns of the broader community over Meta’s outrageous behaviour that has had such adamaging impact on so many sections of the community.
Facebook particularly has evolved into an antisocial entity that has provided ahaven for toxicity, fake news, scams, blackmail, cyberbullying, doxing, revenge porn, trolling, deep fakes, political interference, surveillance capitalism and the spread of mis and disinformation that has caused so much damage within our communities.
The live streaming of massacres, images of unrealistic so-called beautiful people and conspiracies are also part and parcel of social media today.
In the case of the news industry, Communications Minister, Michelle Rowland has said Meta’s decision to no longer pay for news content in anumber of jurisdictions “represents adereliction of its commitment to the sustainability of Australian news media”, a comment CPA endorses wholeheartedly. Meta has shown complete disdain for Australian media outlets, the News Media Bargaining Code and the Australian Government by announcing its intention not to renew agreements with publishers. Meta has been deemed an unavoidable trading partner, and as such, is expected to conform to the same standards and expectations as the rest of us. In short, we believe Meta fails to meet those
standards, and that the company long ago ceased to be just aprovider of social media platforms.
Just last month, the US Surgeon General called for social media to have warnings attached to it over mental health concerns for users. It’s one of the great paradoxes of our time that rather than tackle unacceptable elements and accept responsibility for the damage caused by providing the habitat for such scornful matter, Meta has instead opted to diminish the presence of the real news and of truth by continually adjusting its algorithms and rendering public interest news content more and more difficult to find.
Metaisapublisher just like our members; however,their platforms arenot subject to laws including defamation and contempt of court, editorial standards and regulatory frameworks.
ANDREW SCHREYER
The federal government has the News Media Bargaining Code at its disposal, amechanism established to ensure social media platforms can be held to account and that media organisations are treated fairly in their dealings with the social media giants.
Should the government designate Meta under the code, the company is likely to block news sites from its platforms just as it has done in Canada. And in that country, it’s been regional and rural publishers who have been negatively affected the most.
In this instance we encourage the government to insert a‘must carry news’ clause in the code forcing them to negotiate with publishers or
impose a20per cent taxonMeta’s Australian revenue.
Proceeds from the tax can be used for mental health programs to assist young people negatively impacted by social media, and acomponent distributed to publishers as compensation for Meta’s use of their content.
If Meta refuses, they should be banned from Australia.
Meta is apublisher just like our members; however, their platforms are not subject to laws including defamation and contempt of court, editorial standards and regulatory frameworks.
If they were, Iwould not need to write this opinion piece and there would be alot less social harm and mentalhealth issues in our community today.
Meta’s Facebook has little, if any, checking mechanism prior to content and comments being published. Its algorithms serve up content based on popularity regardless of what may be appropriate for the audience. It has no transparent complaints process, is not held to account in any way and isn’t required to respond to complaints.
It’s one thing to rip billions of dollars out of our economy, but the social, mental and physical damage caused by what is allowed to prosper on Meta’s platforms takes things to another level.
We believe that as acorporate citizen, Meta has aresponsibility to do what is right, just as we as publishers do. Meta’s commercialisation of the negativity it allows to fester on its platforms is ascourge upon that company and has created significant hardship and misery for many Australians.
To suit its narrative and justify its agenda, Meta claims its users don’t go to Facebook for news, however the University of Canberra’s Digital News Report: Australia 2024 released in June found that 49 per cent of Australian users of Facebook use it for news and one in four rely on it as their main source of news -our trusted, independent and professionally written news Meta no longer wants to pay for.
The digital news report shows this year, there was actually asurge among youngpeople turning to social media to get news.
Sixty per cent of Gen Zsay social media is their main source of news, a17-percentage point increase on last year.
In line with the increase in the use of social media platforms for news, concern about what is real and what is fake on the internet has skyrocketed to 75 per cent. This is an increase of 11 percentage points in the past two years and echoes an increase in the global rise of six percentage points over the same period. It suits Meta to claim Australians don’t use the company’s platforms to read the news and for it to be allowed to continue to ride roughshod over our communities. But it suits the rest of us for Meta to be held to account.
Andrew Schreyer is the president of Country Press Australia, and publisher of the Warragul &Drouin Gazette.
Country Press Australia President,Andrew Schreyer
Photo:Contributed
Wellington businesses vying
AGROUP of 46 businessesfromacross Gippsland, includingnineinWellingtonShire, will be competing for the 2024 Federation University Gippsland Business Awards.
Graeme Sennett, chairperson of the Gippsland Business Awards committee, expressed his admiration for the owners and operators of the array of entrants thathave entered the competition to become this year's finalists.
This week, the finalists were unveiled, with 46 businesses securing their spots across 12 industry and specialist categories.
“The variety of finalists has onceagainleft us in awe,” Mr Sennett said.
“Entries from all corners of Gippsland demonstrate that our small to medium-sized businesses continue to establish themselvesasindustry leaders.”
The categories include Accommodation, Beauty and Personal Care, Business and Professional Services, Foodand WineProducers, Health and Well-being, Hospitality, Innovation, Manufacturing, Mechanical Trades and Construction, New Business, Retail, and Tourism Activities and Attractions.
The categorywinnerswillberevealed at the grand gala presentation event on Friday, August
30, at Federation University's Gippsland campus in Churchill.
The GippslandBusiness of the Year, the top honour, will be selected from the category winners and announced at the ceremony.
“The judging process was once again challenging due to the high standard of entries,” Mr Sennett said.
Mr Sennett also recognised the many excellent entrants who did not make it to the finals.
“Theyembodyarobust and expanding business community in Gippsland, and we strongly encourage them to participate again in the future,” he added.
Mr Sennett noted that this year marks the 26th year of the awards.
“We take pride in having been able to acknowledge the efforts and hard work of so many, as we have celebrated business excellence in Gippsland for over aquarter of acentury,” he stated.
“We look forward to recognising and honouring all our finalists at ourawards evening, Gippsland's premier business event.”
For further details of finalists refer to the FederationUniversity Gippsland Business Awards website: gba.org.au
Local finalists:
Accommodation:
m. hotel, Sale.
Motel 3858 Heyfield.
Beauty and Personal Care
Blush Professional Beauty Touch, Sale.
Food and Wine Producers
Maffco Brewery &Distillery, Maffra.
Hospitality
Quick Cuppa, Heyfield.
The Vines On Avon, Maffra.
Manufacturing
GBG Concrete &Construction, Sale.
PavFab Engineering and Fabrication, Yarram.
Tourism Activities and Attractions
The Berry Dairy, Maffra.
Triumph for Fulham mother and daughter
COMMITTED to providing the best possible support to menincustody, an inspiring mother and daughter who joined the corrections industry together haverecently graduated with UndergraduateCertificates in Mental Healthboth with High Distinction.
At Fulham Correctional Centre, the Aboriginal liaison officer,Vivianne Everett, and the correctional manager, Georgia Everett, became the first mother and daughter in Victoria to graduate from the same Correctional Officer Pre-Service course in 2016.
While working full-time andstudying over many late nights during2023, the Everetts have each attained an Undergraduate Certificate of Mental Health,from the faculty of MedicineNursing
and Health Sciences at Monash University. They graduated on May 15 at the Monash University Clayton campus.
The Commonwealth-funded course placements were offered to all custodial staff at Fulham Correctional Centre.The offer was embraced by the pair as agreat opportunity to implement their learnings to better support the men while in custody, and to complement the existing work they are already undertaking in their respective roles.
“It was tough juggling work and study, but I truly believed it wouldequipustodeliver best practice in mental health support for the men at Fulham and in turn better outcomes for them post-release,” Vivianne said.
“I can agree withViv thattherewere tough times
Helping newborn Sale babies
CENTRAL Gippsland Health (CGH) has partnered with the Newborn Intensive Care Foundation (NICF)tohost one of its major fundraisers to help newborn babies born at Sale Hospital.
ALadies High Tea will be held on Friday, August 9tohelp raise much needed funds for atransportableultrasound machine.
This traditional ‘five-star’ high tea at The VinesonAvoninMaffra will feature threetiered étagèresofferingsandwiches, savouries, sweet treats and tea served in fine china.
The event willbehostedbylocal author and podcaster, Kerryn Vaughan,who is alsothe founder of not- for-profit One Planet Classrooms, co-founder of Girls With Hammers, and creator of Get Off The Bench.
Guest speaker for the day is elite netballer, Lara Dunkley, who hails from Yarram.
managing work and study, however Iammore knowledgeable in how to best support the men at Fulhamastheytransition throughtheir sentences whilstalsoproviding an involved,supportive leadership to my direct teams,” Georgia added.
Fulham Correctional Centre General Manager, Natalie Greenfield congratulated Vivianneand Georgia on theiroutstanding achievements in the course and for the leadership they show other women working in the challenging industry of corrections.
“These are two very inspiring women who remain dedicated to delivering the best possible outcomes for the men in their care. Vivianne and Georgia’s commitment to GEO, along with their own personal success, is truly commendable.”
Asilentauction on the day will offer autographed books by authors including Bryce Courtenay, Peter Garret, Les Murrayand Ita Buttrose.
Afeature artwork offeredfor auction by internationally recognised artist,Lyn Diefenbach, is valued at more than $3000. CGH Chief Executive, MarkDykgraaf,said the NICF, established in Sale in July 2019, had so far raised more than $220,000 for CGH.
The money had provided important medical equipment, including lactationaids, cot nests, knitted and cotton newborn clothes, phototherapy blanket, four recliner chairs, aRescusitaire and an Isolette humidicrib.
Vivianne Everett(left) from LatrobeCity withher daughter Georgia from WellingtonShireon graduation day.
Photo: Contributed
Gippy Lakes vibrant health report
IN great news for the Gippsland Lakes, the most recentassessment of the condition of saltmarsh communitieshas shownthem to be in ‘goodto excellent’ condition.
The survey, undertaken by the East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority, used anewly developed method that will be used to record the condition of this important habitat type over time in the Gippsland Lakes Ramsar site.
“We are delighted with these latestresults showing thatsaltmarshcommunities are doing well in the internationally renowned Gippsland Lakes Ramsar wetland,”saidBec Hemming,Chief Executive Officer of East Gippsland CMA.
“This success is largely dedicated to projects we have been delivering with our partners and communityovermanyyears to work together to understand, protect and restore these delicate ecosystems.
“Saltmarsh is an incredibly important plant community for the Lakes as it provides habitat for fish and birds and is also one of the key indicators we use to measure the health of the ecosystem.”
Saltmarsh communitiesare nature’s bufferas they protect land from storm surges and bank erosion and, being tolerant to saline conditions, are likely to help the Lakes be more resilient from the threat of climate change and sea-levelrise over time.
The Gippsland Lakes RamsarSite was listed in 1982 and is one of 12 wetlands listed under the Ramsar Convention in Victoria and one of 64 wetlands areas in Australia. The Lakes are recognised for outstanding significant coastal wetland valuesand features, including vital habitat for up to 50,000 migratory and resident waterbirds, as well as supporting other crucial ecosystem services, including nationally and internationallythreatened wetlandspecies, waterbird breeding and fish spawning sites.
As the Ramsar site coordinator, East Gippsland CMA manages programs, such as this saltmarsh study, to monitor the health of the area and develop works to adapt to changes and protectand enhance key wetland values.
“Because saltmarsh grows near or on the banks of the Gippsland Lakes, it can often be disturbed by recreational vehicle use. We want to encourage community to please stay on designated roads to protect our precious saltmarsh into the future,” Ms Hemming said.
This project is part of a$248million investment overfouryears (2020-24) by the Victorian Government to improve the health of waterways and catchments. Of this, $7.5 million has been provided to deliver on-ground actions to implement priorities to improve the health of the Gippsland Lakes catchment.
Nominations open for annual VictorianTreeofthe Year
NOMINATIONS for the 2024 Victorian Tree of the Year,acompetition run by the National Trust of Australia (Victoria),opened last Monday(July1).
Attracting thousands of votes each year, the annual competitionisa much-lovedcelebrationof the significanttrees that have capturedthe hearts of Victorians and highlights the importance of trees to our environment and their invaluable contributions to ourcommunities.
The NTAVsaidithad been steadfastinits commitment to safeguarding these natural treasuresas the state'sforemost advocatefor treepreservation, Since1982, more than 20,000 trees in 1200 locationsacross the state havebeen classified and
registered on the National Trusts of Australia Register of Significant Trees. To be eligible for VictorianTree of the Year,atree must be on the register.
Nominations can be submitted online via the National Trust’s website at www.nationaltrust. org.au/treeoftheyear
Nominations should include details about the tree and whyitdeservesthe title of 2024Victorian Tree of the Year.
Thedeadline for all nominationsisSunday, July 28. The National Trust's Significant Tree Expert Committee will reviewthe nominations received and curate ashortlist of nineexceptional trees.Voting
Comeand talk face-to-face with Gippsland Water staff
GIPPSLAND Water customers will be able to speakwith members of the organisation’s customer care team in person at local pop-ups from this month (July).
Pop-ups will take place at locations in the Latrobe Valley, Baw Baw, and Wellington shires.
Locations include Traralgon Centre Plaza on Tuesday, July 9and Mid Valley Shopping Centre on Thursday, July 11.
The managing director, Sarah Cumming, encouraged locals to take up the opportunity to chat with the team if they had any questions about their bills.
“We know thatfor many people, it’s often easiertotalktosomeone face-to-face,” Ms Cumming said.
“We also know that people in our community are experiencing cost of living pressures. We want our customers to know there are many ways we can help," she said.
“Our experienced and friendly team members willdiscussyour situationand work out which options best suit you. These include flexiblepaymentplans,registering concessions, applying for government-funded assistance schemes, and referrals to financial councillors.
“They willalsobeavailabletoanswer general questions about our bills.”
For more information including pop-up locations, dates and times, visitwww.gippswater. com.au/customercare
for the Victorian Tree of the Year will be open online on Monday, October1,until Tuesday, October 29
The NTAV's interim Chief Executive Officer, Philip Martins,called on Victorianstoget involved and encourage everyonetonominate their favourite tree.
“Jointhe Trust in celebrating the remarkable trees thatgrace our beautiful state of Victoria-itcould haveadramatic history, or amajestic canopy; it doesn’t havetobethe biggest or the oldest of its kind, just the tree we love the most.Let us honour the majesty, significance, andthe incredible contributions Victoriantreesmaketoour environmentand communities," he said.
“If your favourite tree misses out this year or is not
yet registered on the National Trusts of Australia Register of Significant Trees, there willalways be an opportunityfor consideration in the future.”
The Victorian Tree of the Yearcontest aims to raise awareness of the conservation of the state’s naturalheritage,and highlightthe manybenefits treesprovide to our culture and wayoflife.
The winner of VictorianTreeofthe Yearwill be officially announced on Tuesday, November12. For more information on Victorian Tree of the Year visit: www.nationaltrust.org.au/treeoftheyear
Vibrant saltmarshessupport aplethoraofplants andanimals.
Photos: LOLMedia
Last year,aRiver Red Gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) located near Guildfordonthe Midland Highway, wasawarded the title of 2023 Victorian Tree of the Year
Photo: National TrustofAustralia (Victoria)
Toughroadfor net zero energy
PhilipHopkins
THE latest market operator assessment of what would need to happen to achieve Australia’s energy transition goals of Net Zero by 2050 highlights the sheer scope and scale of the task ahead and the huge uncertainties that still remain, according to the peak body for energy generators and retailers.
The AustralianEnergyCouncil’sInterim Chief Executive,Ben Barnes, said the final Integrated System Plan (ISP) reflects what is required to reach arange of federal and stategovernment targets and policy settingsinarelatively short timeframe. Theowners of theLatrobe Valley power stations
-AGL, Energy Australia and Alinta -are all members of the Australian Energy Council, which represents electricityand downstream naturalgas businessesoperatinginthe wholesale and retail energy markets.
“Producinganachievable roadmap is an extremely difficult task for the Australian EnergyMarket Operator (AEMO)given the targets and policies it models are either fixed or becoming more ambitious," Mr Barnes said.
“As we have seen, real on-the-ground issues such as supply chain constraints and community oppositioncan have an impact on realising the ISP.
“AEMO has flagged arange of risks to delivering
VFF calls on EES improvement
THE Victorian FarmersFederation (VFF) says the consideration of thesocial,economic,and environmental impactsonagriculture and farm businesses is being ignored by the state government when granting powers of access for developments such as mining and electricity transmission.
The VFF President, Emma Germano, has called on the Victorian government improve theEnvironmental Effects Statement (EES) process to ensure it properly considers impacts on food and fibre production.
“Time after time, we’ve seen the very real concerns of farmersand communities ignored in the face giant mining and energy companies that have caused alackoftrust and confidence the current EES process which is meant to protect all elements of the environment,” she said.
“We’re concerned the governmentisnot ensuring that the EES process considers the ongoing impacts that projects can have on agricultural production and farm businesses. Farmers are beingsteamrolled as aresult.
“It’s the government’s job to ensure the process is right and that’s clearly not happening. With the huge amount of renewable energy, transmission and mining developments planned for Victoria, we need this fixed now.”
Ms Germano said the VFF had written to the Planning Minister, Sonya Kilkenny, and
the Energy and Resources Minister, Lily D’Ambrosio, to recommend arange of solutions.
“We’ve outlined to the government the basic need to include agriculture industry experts being part of any EES technical referencegroup for adevelopment proposal on farmland,” she said
“Too oftenthere is no agricultural knowledge included to ensurethat EES scoping documents, terms of reference and draftstudiesproperly consider how to avoidimpactsonagricultural production and how to ensurefair compensation where impacts cannot be avoided.
“In addition, communities need to be supported to respond to what is often ahighly technical process. Farmers are forking out thousands of dollars to hire experts to try and understand thenegativeenvironmental consequences for them and their businesses. At the same time, the companies proposing the development have deep pockets.”
Ms Germano said the governmentmust consider making funds available to community groups so they can retain the technical experts to provide greater balance to the process.
“We see these as solutions for the government to introduce and we will continue to push for their immediate introduction into the process,” Ms Germano said.
HELP SUPPORT OUR NEWBORN BABIES
on theISP with solutionstomanynot yet evident. Key amongst them is the risk that replacement generation, storage and transmission may not be available ahead of coal plants retiring.
“What happens next is whatcounts. It will be up to government, investors and marketbodiesto workcollaboratively on the gaps and find solutions to ensure we can deliverthe transitionwhilst maintaining community support."
AEMO's ISP maintains that renewable energy connectedwith transmission and distribution, firmed withstorage, andbacked up by gas-powered generation, is the lowest-cost way to supply electricity to homes and businesses during thetransition to anet zero economy.
TheISP doesnot model nuclear powerasitis not government policyand in fact is notpermitted by Australia’s current laws.
Urgency to renew the NEM is being driven by theprogressive closureofAustralia’s remaining coal-fired power stations. Ten large coal-fired power stations have closed since 2012, and the ISP projects that 90 per cent of today's capacity will be closed by 2035 and all before 2040.
The centrepiece of the plan is the optimaldevelopment path (ODP) -amix of replacement grid-scale generation, storage, and transmission, with an annualised capital cost of $122 billion to 2050.
The ODP is the least cost path to meet federal
and state government energypoliciesonemissions reductions.
Consistentwith previousreports, the planidentifies almost10,000 kilometres of new transmission lines that are required by 2050 to connect new sources of generation.Ten projects, or 2500 km, arealready underway, and the plan identifies a further sevenprojects that should now progress through planningand delivery.The transmission projects cost $16billion
Gas plays acrucial energy transitionrole in back-up electricity generation for sustained periods when renewables are unavailable, and its contribution is integral to the ISP.
The other crucial technologies factored into the roadmap are domestic rooftop solar panels and associated batteries, smart systems and electric vehicles, or what the ISP calls ‘consumer energy resources’.
The ISP also calls out the challenges and risks to the energy transition. Planned projects are facing delivery challenges, including approval process delays, investment uncertainties, cost pressures, social licence issues, supply chain disruptions, and workforce shortages.
The ISP is the result of two yearsofconsultation, analysis and review involving 2100 stakeholders, 85 presentations and reports, and the consideration of 220 formal submissions.
Raff Ciccone Comment
JULYmarks an important time for our community.
From July 1, Victorians began receiving araft of cost-of-living assistance implemented by the Albanese Labor Government, starting with atax cutfor every taxpayer.
Workers in regionaland rural Victoria will receive an average tax cut of $1441 and 884,000 people in these areas will receive alargertax cut under federal Labor.
This means Victorianworkers will keep more of what they earn.
In addition to these tax cuts, the Albanese Government will provide a$300energy rebate to every household to help make power bills more affordable,while onemillionsmall businesses will receive $325.
This will make areal difference to people, and the rebate will be automatically applied in quarterly instalments by energy providers.
This assistance complements other cost-of-living measures the Albanese Government is putting in place, includinga payrisefor low-paid workers and afreeze on PBS medicines.
Across Australia, 2.6 millionworkers willreceive their thirdconsecutivepay rise backed by the Government -also from July 1.
In fact,over the threeannualwage review
decisions since federalLabor came to office in 2022, the wages of low-paid workers have increased by $143.30 per week and by $7451.60 per year. Victorians will continuehaving accesstocheaper medicines, with no one to pay more than $31.60 thanks to afreeze on the maximum cost of aPBS medicine for the next 12 months.
Pensioners and concessioncard holders won’t pay more than $7.70 for their PBS medications for the next five years.
Importantly, federal Labor has approved extra funding for 201 new and amended listings on the PBS since July 2022, including for breast cancer, lung cancer and cardiac disease.
The Albanese Government’s paidparental leave scheme has also increased from July 1, from 20 to 22 weeks, on the way to 26 weeks by 2026.
Having strongpaidparentalleave provides more support for working families and advances women’s economic security.
As we reach the midway point of 2024, the Albanese Government’s number one priority continues to be the cost of living. We understand Australians are doing it tough and our Budget helps people under pressure right now. Thetax cuts,energy bill relief, pay rise,cheaper medicinesand the extension of paid parental leave willgoalongway to easingsome of that pressure Senator RaffCiccone is aFederal Labor Senator for Victoria and Deputy Government Whipinthe Senate.
Gippy set for new energy forum
TICKETS for Australia'smostextensiveregionallyled energy conference are currently on sale.
The three-day event will focus on local actions being undertaken with global insight as Gippsland navigates our transition to renewable energy.
"The GippslandNew Energy Conferencebuilds on theregion'sproudhistory as an energy powerhouse. We have powered Victoria's manufacturing and domestic power supply for close to 100 years, and we shall continue to lead the nation now in supplying clean, renewable power," Wellington Shire Councillor and Gippsland Climate Change Network Chief Executive, Darren McCubbin said. Events will run from Tuesday,September3,until
Thursday,September 5. Theyinclude the two-day energy conference, evening and breakfast networking, afree community expo, and the Gippsland New Energy Youth Summit.
Likeprevious years, sessions willcover the latest wind,solar, battery, hydrogen, and geothermal technology updates.
Themes aroundsupply chain procurement, skills, infrastructure, and manufacturing opportunities will be showcased, with additional discussions on community energy resilience and engaging with Traditional Owners.
This year's agenda has also been expanded with content on circulareconomy models, building
Labor blamed for Vic gas crisis
VICTORIANS continue to be denied the affordable and secure energy they deserve amidst new warnings Australia may become reliant on imported natural gas, according to the state Opposition.
Energyexperts have reportedly raised concerns over natural gas supplies in southern states, including Victoria, and raised the potential needtoimport gasvia an LNG import terminal.
Thesewarningsfollow arecent threat notice issuedbythe Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) of potential gas shortfalls and blackouts impacting Victorian homes and business thiswinter, due to rapidly decreasing supplies and an increased reliance on gaspeaking for electricity generation.
The Shadow Minister for Energy, Affordabilityand Security, David Davis,
said gas shortages and higher prices were the consequences of adecade of mismanagement of Victoria’s energy system under the state government.
“Labor’s ideological opposition to natural gas has Victorians facingthe very real risk of blackouts,coldshowers, cold homes,cold meals and evenhigher prices this winter," he said.
“Instead of demonising natural gas and undermining confidence in the industry, the Allan Labor Government must urgently reverse its gasban andworkconstructively with the private sector to bring desperately needed newsupplies into the system.
“Labor cannot manage money, cannot manage our energy systemand Victorians are paying the price.”
biodiversity into the bigger picture, and more.
The Gippsland Climate Change Network facilitates GNEC, but the eventismade possible through extensivepartnerships and multi-agency working groups. This year,the Latrobe City Council will host the event.
Latrobe CityMayor,Darren Howesaid: "Hosting the conference this year fills us with great excitement and pride, underscoring our region's commitment in the energy sector. It serves as an opportunity to collaborate and discuss critical matters within the energy industry and learn about the cutting-edge technologies that will shape our future projects."
"As Australia's most heavily impacted and transitioning region, we standwith our community to support theequitable transition of our region'sindustry landscape and economy. Our goal is to foster partnerships that drive innovationand inspire actionablestrategiesthat
benefit both our environment and our economy."
Wellington Shire Council hosted the first successful GNEC conference in 2022 and again in 2023.
They see the conference as crucial in highlighting Gippsland's leadership in the renewable energy sector,particularlyinoffshore wind, and are again akey partner for 2024.
"Our commitment to renewable energy is not just about makingsureour regionisready to transition and support Victoria's new energy goals, but also about driving economic growth,creating jobs, and ensuring asustainable future for our local community. We are proud to be at the forefront of this transition and look forward to the innovative solutions and partnerships that will come from this year's event," Wellington Shire Mayor, Ian Bye said. For more information, links to the program, sponsors, and ticket options, please visit: gnec.com.au
Latrobe City Mayor,DarrenHoweisexcited to host theNew Energy Conference in LatrobeCity.
ONE POINTERS
1. What is the other name for an Academy Award?
2. What is the 50th state of America?
3. What countryused to be called Persia?
4. What is Lightning McQueen’scatchphrase? TWOPOINTERS
5. What is Tintin’sdog named?
6. Who was kidnapped in the Trojan War?
7. What year did the first iPhone come out?
8. What daytime soap opera takes place in the fictional town of Salem? THREE POINTER
9. What is aVietnamese pork roll called?
10 What is the lowest point in the ocean called?
11 What is the name of the hand The Addams Family?
12. What starts adiesel engine instead of spark plugs? FOUR POINTER
13 Where is aNovocastrian from?
14. Who was the shortest NBA player? FIVE POINTER
15. What’sthe term for aleopard’sspots?
the books.
Using the 9letters in the grid, howmany wordsoffour letters or morecan you list? The centreletter must be included and each lettermay be used onlyonce No colloquial or foreign words. No capitalised nouns, apostrophes or plural wordsending in ‘s’. Solution
Modern townhouse with e lowmaintenance
Valleyoverlook home available
TWENTY minutes from Traralgon is this property at 485 Redhill Road Callignee, ‘Chalmwood’, Located on approximately 63 acres, prospective buyers will find ahome with five bedrooms, two bathrooms, featuring living with double sliding doors onto the north facing verandawhich overlooks hills and Latrobe Valley
The master bedroom includes an ensuite with shower and separate toilet, air conditioning and ceiling fan, remaining bedrooms have built in robes and centrally located to the family bathroom. Alaundry/ mudroom with storage is located offthe carport. Outside features include, but not limited to fruit trees; three sheds (15m x15m machinery shed/garage, 15m x15m hay shed and 2bay machinery shed 10m x8m x4.2m high); steel cattle yards, crush and adjustable race; nine paddocks with fencing, stocktroughs gravity feed from the dam; five 37,800ltr concrete water tanks; permanent creek at the rear on the property; and a 4.2kw solar system. Briefdetails
485 Redhill Road, Callignee
peace and privacy
Gippy dairy farmland top in Vic
GIPPSLAND dairyfarmland had the highest price per hectare for Victorian dairy regions at more than $41,000 per hectare in 2023, according to a new report from ABARES.
At thisprice,Gippsland has almost reaching the most valuable dairy farmland, Tasmania, at about $45,000 per hectare in 2023 said.
ABARES in its newexpanded Farmland Price Indicator, which includes anew seriesofexperimental estimates by farmland type.
Keyfeatures of thereportare:
-Hobby farmlandprice has grownmoderately since the early 1990s, increasing sharplyafter 2020. The average annual growth rate of hobby farmland price was 5.5 per cent from 1992 to 2020, increasing to 10 per cent from 2020 to 2023, to around $200,000 per hectare.
-Dairy farmland price has increased gradually at an average annual rate of 5.6 per cent over the last 32 years, however this rate has accelerated sharply from 2020 to 2023, to arate of 28.1 per cent.
-Non-irrigated broadacre cropping and beef farmland pricesgrewatafaster annualrateof 7.1 per cent and 7.8 per cent respectively from 1992 to 2023.
ABARES Executive Director, Dr Jared Greenville, said the estimates, based on primary land use at the time of sale, reveal some noteworthy findings.
“We can see how historically high dairy prices over the past three years have flowed through to
dairy farmland prices,” Dr Greenville said.
“In recent years dairy farmland priceshave exploded, increasing at annual rates of over 20 per cent since 2020.
“Forestry farmland prices have risen by over 75
per cent between 2019 and 2023 -but this farmland type still remains at the lower end of the estimates we generated.”
Dr Greenville said hobby farmland prices experienced arapid increase in 2021 and 2022 as COVID-19lockdowns wereeased. Whilehobby farmland prices rose by an average of 10 per cent per year between 2020 and 2023, but this was still lower than the growth in all broadacre farmland of 14.8 per cent per year, he said.
“Prior to this, the average annual growth rate in hobby farmland prices increased about 5.5 per cent between 1992 and 2020.”
Farmland prices are important in helping better understand farm business performance and growth overtime, andthe ABARES Farmland Price Indicator provides this vital information in an easy-to-access and statistically robust platform. Users can now accessand downloadspecific information for beef, dairy, cropping, forestry, orchardand even hobby farmland type via the ABARES Farmland Price Indicator dashboard.
Taking careinloading livestock for transport
LIVESTOCK must be inspected beforebeing loaded and they must not be suffering from conditions that could cause, or would be likely to cause,increased pain or distress during transport.
Agriculture Victoria Senior Veterinary Officer, Jeff Cave said if you are in doubt about an animal’s suitabilityfor transport, you can always ask your private veterinarian or any Agriculture Victoria animal health officerorveterinary officerif livestock are fit to load.
Furthermore, aguideline titled ‘Is the animal fit to load?’ has been produced by Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA). This guideline can be viewed electronically on MLA’s website or ordered from MLA at MLA publications.
In summary, an animal is not fit to load if it is not able to walk normally or bear weighton all its legs. Thismay be due to arecent or old fracture, an injury,adeformity or an infection, is not strong enough to makethe journey, is suffering from severe distressorinjury, is in a condition thatcould cause it increased pain or distress during transport, is blind in both eyes or is in late pregnancy.
Dr Cave said if you identify an animal that is unfittoload you have afew options.
"You could treatthe animaland transport it when it has recovered and is fit to load. Naturally this is not an option in cases that are not readily treatable. Alternatively, you could humanely destroy the animal. Aknackery service is available in many areas to help with this option," he said.
"Finally, youcould consult aveterinarian and onlytransport theanimal underveterinary advice."
Dr Cave said remember, the person in charge of the animal is responsible for its welfare. Community values and expectations will not accept anything less.
For further information on animal welfare contact your local animal health staff at Agriculture Victoria or call 136 186. Find the landtransportoflivestock standard guidelines and more information at go.vic.gov au/45RZ6uQ
Aviation flu
AS we continue to respond to the avian flu outbreak, we’re urgingbirdownerstoremainvigilant Look out for symptoms and reportany unexplained bird deaths to the VicEmergency hotline on 1800 226 226.
For more information, visit agriculture.vic.gov. au/avianflu
Pests and weeds
EFFORTStosupport long-term management of rabbits,blackberries, serrated tussock and gorse across Victoria have been bolstered with support from the Victorian Government to four community pest management groups.
The Minister for Agriculture, Ros Spence, has announcedfive Partnerships Against Pests grants to supportprojectstotalling$250,000 across four groups to tackle pests and weeds infesting the Victorian landscapes and waterways.
The four community pest management groups that received funding are the Victorian Rabbit Action Network, Victorian Blackberry Taskforce, Victorian Serrated Tussock Working Party and Victorian Gorse Taskforce.
The cost of managing established weeds and pest animals for landowners across the state is estimated at $869 million each year.
Established weeds and pest animals damage our landscapes and waterways, causesubstantial productionlosses, jeopardise international market access and damage culturally sensitive sites of First Nations people.
The PartnershipsAgainst Pestsprogram is aimed at expanding collaborative partnerships for the long-term managementofestablished weeds and pest animals in Victoria. It focuses on reducing the impacts of established weeds and pests though local action to achieve sustainable, long term, whole-of-landscape changes.
Sinceits launch in 2023, the Partnerships Against Pests program has delivered grants totalling $690,000 for projects that support industry and community-ledactions to target established pests and weeds.
This second round of funding will be used for projects that build capacity, raise awareness and encourage active management of established invasive species across the state.
The Victorian Gorse Taskforce and Victorian Serrated Tussock Working Party will use their $85,000 grant to establish communities of practicewith members across Victoria. Members will develop expertise in weed identification and best-practice management so they can then act as ambassadors in their own communities.
The Partnerships Against Pestsprogram is funded through the government’s Backing Victoria’s Producers initiative, which will deliver $5 millionover four years to support communityled action to manage established weeds and pest animals in Victoria.
For more information visit agriculture.vic.gov. au/biosecurity
Feeding roughage
DR Jeff Cave,Agriculture Victoria Senior Veterinary Officer,saidwith alittle newgrowth of pasture and the various supplementary feeds that could be given, you could ask -why is it also necessarytofeed roughage?
Livestock needs to eat more roughage in cold weather to give them energy for heat production, keeping them warm since the fermentation and breakdown of cellulose creates heat energy. If livestock don’tget enoughroughage in the colder months, they will drop condition quickly as they use body fat to create energy for warmth. Feeding out late in the afternoonwill provide ‘heat’ through the night.
There are many more reasons for livestock’s needfor roughage during winter, including even though some roughage may be left uneaten, for digestive function livestock require aminimum amount of fibre and long roughage to maintain their digestive systems.
This is sometimes known as the ‘scratch factor’ and stimulates rumination (cud chewing) when
moving livestock onto green pasturetheir rumen needs time to adjust to anew feed type. Newly growing pasture may not have adequate fibre levels. It may be better to supplement stock to allow the pasture to establish and develop.
Hungry cattle needtobeprevented from gorging themselves onto pastures thatmay have potential to cause nitrate poisoning or bloat if feeding grain or pellets with too little roughage, acidosis or grain poisoning can occur. As we move further into winter, haymay be needed to reduce grass tetany risks and allows away of administering Causmag.
For furtherinformation pleasecontact your local veterinarianorAgricultureVictoria animal health or extension staff, or in NSW your Local Land Services.
Feed on offer
WITH current seasonal conditions green feed may be limiting and assessing the value of pasturecan be difficult. Find out how to measure your Feed on Offer (FOO).
Use the FOO assessment guide and the AWI FOO library to help you estimate and assess what you have on offer.
More resources to assist in assessingpastures are available on Agriculture Victoria’s Feeding Livestock website.
On-farm deaths
DUE to arecent on-farm death, WorkSafe has created an alert to remind farmers, growers and otherswho regularly operatepowered mobile plant to consider the risks when operating machinery on-farm.
This safety alert aims to help you build your knowledge on the safe use of powered mobile plant to reduce risks to you and your workers on farms.
Take the time to read the 'Safety Alert' on the WorkSafewebsite and forward this information onto other farmers who regularly use farm machinery including augers.
VFF biosecurity
THE Victorian FarmersFederation says its livestock biosecurity and welfare initiative, Stock Sense, is experiencing record highattendance at Victorian events and workshops,reflecting agrowing appetite amongst producers and the community for its resources.
The VFF Livestock president, ScottYoung,said the initiative had never been more important since launching in its current format in 2021.
“It’s been fantastic to see the overwhelming turnout at some of our recent events. In some areas, we’ve seeingattendancesthree times larger than what we’d typically expect,” he said.
“Stock Sensehas now embedded itself as the go-to tool for education of livestock biosecurity and animal welfare thishas aripple effectof benefits to both the community and the state.” Mr Young said Stock Sense events draw on experts in the fieldtotalkontopics ranging from stockhandling, fencing, and feed, to general ownership,supply-chain, andeverythingin between, making it perfect for peri-urban and hobby farmers.
“The focus on biosecurity has arguably never been stronger. That’s why these projects are so vital now and moving forward,” Mr Young said.
VFF Stock Sense has delivered 14 workshops an eventsthroughout Victoria in 2024 and encouragesyou to visit stocksense.org.au/tolearn more and access the resources on offer, and see when Stock Sense is coming to atown near you. MORE AG SHORTS-PAGE22
Anew report from ABARESshows that Gippsland dairy farmland hadthe highest price per hectarefor Victorian dairy regions in 2023
Photo: iStock
Sale yards booming livestock
THE Gippsland Regional Livestock Exchange
(GRLE) in Sale, Victoria, has experienced significant growth in the first half of 2024, with a25per cent growth in cattle numbers and an impressive 43 per cent in sheep and lambs.
Thisgrowthisattributed to an influx of new vendors, marking the first half of 2024 as one of the best since pre-COVID times.
After anumberofyears of declining throughput, Wellington Shire Council said it initiated a strategic review of GRLE in 2023 to identify key issues, opportunities, and options for the facility'sfuture.
Completion of the review was delayedwith the announcement of the closure of Pakenham’s saleyard. Council thought it was important to engage witharangeofproducers,livestock agents, transporters and buyers.
The strategic review recommended continuing operations with incremental improvements to systems and technology and for Council to consider the overall use of the site, re-purposing any used areasnoting the landsitswithin an industrial zone.
After the review, Wellington Shire Council announced itscommitmenttocontinuing the operation of the local livestock exchange, driven by asignificant increase in throughput.
Through ongoing engagement with stakeholders at the saleyards, Council sees great opportunities to attractevenmore livestock particularly considering the recent closure of Pakenham. The outlook for GRLE and its sellers is extremely positive.
Wellington Shire Mayor,Ian Bye, was delighted to see asubstantial surge in livestock numbers, highlighting GRLE’s resilience and potential.
“Council remainsdedicated to fostering sustainable growth within the agricultural sector, avital component of our local economy. Considering the venue can actually handle multiple times the current throughput, we will continue to engage and support our local producers, agents and other key stakeholders," he said.
"The closure of the Pakenham Livestock Exchange presents areal challenge and opportunity for the industry; redistributing over 100,000 cattleacross other sellingcentres in Victoria, with GRLE offering modern facilities and efficient transport into Sale,makingitanenviable location for buying and selling stock.
“This month, the change in sellingdays highlights our active collaboration with East Gippsland Livestock Exchange, buyers and stock agents These partnerships are crucial in maintaining a competitive and efficient marketplace.”
The GRLE has beena key part of the Gippsland community for more than 60 years. In 2016, Wellington Shire Councilundertook significant upgrades to meet modern animal welfare and environmental standards. Recently, the livestock exchange was recognised for its excellent animal welfare practices by an independent assessment, highlighting council's commitment to best practice.
GRLE's July 2024 sale schedule is:
Prime cattle sale every Wednesday at 11.30am (weekly);
Sheep sale every second Monday at 12.30pm (fortnightly); and, Cattle store sale every first Friday of the month at 9am.
For more information, follow Gippsland Regional Livestock Exchange on Facebook or visit grle.com.au
Leongatha yardsexpecting big number surge
NEW holdingyards for 2500cattle willbefinished at Koonwarra in SouthGippslandwithin the next month, the Sentinel-Times has reported.
Part of theVictorianLivestock Exchange (VLE) master plan for the Leongatha sale yards, these holdings willhave soft flooringand feeders on the outside rails, the Times said.
VLE's managing director, Brian Paynter,said the $300,000 investment would make it easier to transition from sale to transport and provide the complex with extra capacity.
"These yards will make sure VLE Leongathacan handle 6000 cattle at any one time -sometimes even afew hundred more -ideal timing for those farmers looking to transition their cattle marketing from Pakenham to Leongatha," he said.
"These new yards willhavecovered feeders alongside the outside rails, which are easily accessible for the livestock and enable easier and faster pen cleaning."
Other changes slated for VLE Leongatha as part of its master plan, the Times said, include an additional 9000 square metres of undercover holding yards, anew four-bay truck wash, truck
driver amenities and tea rooms, atruck fuel depot, new livestock agent offices with aboardroom, new maintenance shed and workshop,and a1500sqm undercover sheep-selling facility.
VLE Leongatha sold 160,000 cattle in the 202324 financialyear -up26per cent from2022-23. Leongatha, Victoria's highest throughput sale yards, is planning for even more cattle after the closure of the Pakenham sale yards last month.
Mr Paynter said Leongatha could match the throughput of Australia's largest sellingcentre -the sale yards at Roma, Queensland -if80per cent of the cattle sold at Pakenham moved across to Leongatha.
Elders Leongatha branch manager, Rohan McRae, told the Times he was confident Leongatha's established market could handleextra cattle fromPakenham. Winter wasthe ideal time for transition
"Julyand August are generally quieter and that gives us time to get the sale yards settled, withthe infrastructure upgrades and work done to handle the extranumbers, before they reallybegin to arrive in spring and summer," Mr McRae said.
"Good, consistent lines of cattle bring buyers and I'm confident all the major buyers will continue to supportLeongatha."
In aletter to the South Gippsland Stock Agents Association, Mr Paynter outlines planstomake Leongathasaleyardsthe "busiest in Australia" by building infrastructure for future generations.
However, in amajor new move for Leongatha, agents will alternate store cattle fortnightly. Mr Paynter said this would be challenging, but with cooperation the VLE was confident cattle numbers could be managed efficiently.
"Withthis in mind, the VLE has decided thatthe best way to man aged the throughput, particularly store sales, is to split the sales between agents," he said.
"Extensivediscussions withagents, transporters and all sale yards' stakeholders have led to this decision. Agents made it very clear that their business model was built around yardingcattle at store marketsonafortnightly basis.Animal welfare was paramount in this decision."
The growth at Gippsland Regional LivestockExchange hasbeen so much,the first half of 2024 hasbeen marked as one of the bestsince pre-COVID times. Photos: Contributed
In 2016,Wellington ShireCouncil undertooksignificantupgrades to meet modernanimal welfare and environmentalstandards.
Call on ideasfor wine strategy
THOSE withakeen interest in shaping the future of Victoria's prestigious wine industry are encouraged to share their insights to contribute to the development of the new Victorian Wine Strategy.
The Victorian Government and the Victorian wine industry are co-designing the newstrategy as part of a2023-24 State Budget commitment. The new strategy will address the key issues the industry faces, while working towards amore economicallyand environmentallysustainable sector.
To offer additional context to contributors,an engagement paper has beenmadeavailableonthe
Engage Victoria website. This document lays out the primary challenges and opportunities within the wine sector.
Asequence of industry consultation forums has also been scheduled throughout late July and August to engage with interested parties.
Wine Strategy Steering Committee member and chief executive of Wine Victoria, Stephanie Duboudin,saidshe encourages wine industry participants from across Victoria to attend aforum and make asubmission.
"The strategy is for everyone in the wine industry -from grape growers and wine makers, through to
wholesalers and exporters, and hospitality, retail and consumers," she said.
"Victoria has one of the most excitingand innovative wine sectors in the world, and this strategy is afantastic partnership between the Victorian Government and wine industry to shape the future of our sector."
The WineStrategy SteeringCommitteechair, TraciGriffin,saidthe committeewas looking to determinethe best path forward for Victorian wine
"By inviting industry input, we aim to create acomprehensive and inclusive strategythatnot only strengthens the wine sector but also enhances
tourism, creates jobs, and drives economic growth across the state," she said.
"While many of our wineries continue to perform strongly, this strategy is about addressing key challengesand enabling opportunities to ensure avibrant, diverse and flourishing wine industry in Victoria."
The industry forumswill be held in August, with the final strategy expectedtobeready by early 2025.
To have your say on the future of the Victorian wine industry and to register for aforum, visit: engage.vic.gov.au/victorian-wine-strategy
Rabobank celebrates 20 yearsoperational in Sale office
RABOBANK clients,guestsand staff recently celebrated the 20th anniversary of the bank’s Sale branch.
The evening’s program included awelcome and thanks from Rabobank area manager for Eastern Victoria, Hannah Sturgiss, who reflected on the history of the specialist agribusiness bank -both locally and globally.
“We deeply appreciate the ongoingsupport of our bank’s clients, without whom this major milestone would not have been possible,” Ms Sturgiss said.
“Andour clients enjoyed participatingincelebrating Rabobank’scontributiontothe Gippsland community. Over the past two decades, the bank has played apivotal role in partnering with our farmingclients to help assist theirgrowthand success.”
Ms Sturgiss spoke about Rabobank’s commitment to the local community -workingwith local organisations,volunteering and supporting the bank’s Southern Vic Tas Client Council -with four council members present at the event: Jess Knight, DeanneSykes,ShaunBeasley and RossIngram.
“A lothas changed in the 20 years sincethe Rabobank branch wasopened in Sale, but what remainsconsistent is the focusthatRabobank and the team place on the importance of relationship and community,” she said.
The event wasattended by senior bank staffregional manager Deborah Maskell-Daviesand groupexecutive forCountry Banking Australia
Marcel Van Doremaele-and includedpresentations fromRaboResearch analysts, Michael Harvey andAngus Gidley-Baird.
Sheep and chicken breeder talks on biosecurity risk
AN on-farm biosecurity plan is essential to help prevent, eliminate and minimise biosecurity risks on afarm.
Dr Hannah Manning from Agriculture Victoria explainsthat an on-farm biosecurity plan contains practical steps to prevent the introduction and spread of pests, diseases, weeds, and contaminants Ben Pickles, arare sheep and chicken breeder, also talks through his process of creatingabiosecurity plan that suits his unique farm and livestock. Listen via the AgVic website.
Season support
HAVE you updated your plan forthe current seasonal conditions? Having asolid drought plan can help you withdecision makinginadverse conditions.
Check out the dry seasons and droughtsupport on the Agriculture Victoria website today. Foxand wild dog bounty
VICTORIA'S bounty collections continue. Please check the Depar of Agriculture websi fo
collection staffoncollection days or call our customerservice centre on 136 186.
Dry season winter webinars
THE Importance of Nutrition -the first webinar in the dry season winter webinar series.
AgricultureVictoria is runninga series of lunchtime webinars to help farmers manage the dry conditions. The sessions will run for about an hour, with achancetoanswer some questions at the end. Attend one or all sessions.
This is the first session of three webinars.
When: Wednesday, July 10, 12.30pm -1.30pm.
These webinars will be recorded.
Join veterinarian Dr Jillian Kelly from Animal Health and Nutrition Consulting.DrKelly has postgraduate qualificationsinruminant nutrition and extensive dry season experience.
ManagingLambing and LactatingEwes -the second in the dry season winter webinar series.
When: Wednesday, July 17, 12.30pm -1.30pm. These webinars will be recorded.
Land Management, Sacrifice Paddocks and Stock Containment Areas -this is the final sessioninthe webinar series.
When: Wednesday, July 24, 12.30pm -1.30pm. Webinars will be recorded.
Join Agriculture Victoria’s Clem Sturmfels for a session about land management, sacrifice paddocks and stock containment areas.
Parma for farmers
SOUTH Gippsland ShireCouncilishosting a 'Parma for South Gippsland farmers' event,featuring Warren Davies, The Unbreakable Farmer, on Monday, July 22 at Mirboo North, from 6.30pm to 9.30pm.
This event aims to providesupport to farmers affected by natural disasters through financial, wellbeing support.
Join us and enjoy amouth-watering chicken parma, cooked to perfection.
Come along and connect with fellow community members, local businesses, and organisations committed to supporting our farming community. Register through the Shire.
Calf rearingworkshops
ATTENDEES will hear from farmers on how they dealwith andhandle calves to optimise success rate and notable results.
Topics will include but are not limited to colostrum, bedding, shelter, time frames,solid foods, feeding, transitioninginto paddocks, breeds and trouble shooting.
Discussions and questions about practices are welcome and avet will be present to answer any tricky questions people may have. MID: register through Dairy Australia.
When: Thursday, July 11, 11am -2pm.
Where: Redan Partners, Yannathan (address provided on registration).
DynamicAgLiv tockConsultant,DrSteve ng and
Warren Davies is one of Australia’s leading rural mental health speakers and advocates. He is a farmer, husband,father of five,son, brother, mate, neighbour, and everyday bloke.
Where: Mirboo North Hotel.
Participants will learn from Evan Campbell. When: Monday July, 15, 11am -2pm. Where: Cypress Grove Holsteins, Foster(address provided on registration).
Participants will learn from Mitchell Jones.
Ms Sturgiss was also able to update guests on the branch’s relocation to new premises, now located at 30 Macarthur Street, Sale.
Rabobank’s Saleteam on May29celebrating the branch’s 20th anniversary.Pictured is Misty Croker,Ron Masin, Julieanne Nicholls, JamesRistrom, HannahSturgiss, Tony Platt
Photos: Contributed
KELPIE XPUPS
SALE
WellingtonShireCouncilhereby gives notice of its intentions pursuant to the provisions of Section 206 includingclause 2ofSchedule10and 207Aofthe LocalGovernment Act 1989 to consider aproposal to undertakea road exchange.
The proposalistodeviate(in part)the road reserve createdbyLP16065 in the Parish of Wa-De-Lock.The unmade part of theroadtobeclosed is shownhatched below,and the road to be openedonLot 1LP16065 is shown cross hatched below
The community is invited to commentonthe proposal, which is shown on thediagrambelow
Proposed naming of asection of road under the provisions of the Geographic PlaceNames Act 1998.
Any person wishingtomakeasubmission regarding this proposal, may do so in writing addressed to the Chief Executive Officer,Wellington ShireCouncil, PO Box506,Sale 3853 or by email to;enquires@ wellington.vic.gov.au by 5pm on Friday 2August 2024
All submissions willbeconsidered public documents unless specified otherwise.
Any person making asubmission mayrequest that he or she be heard in supportofany written submission andentitled to appear in person or by aperson acting on hisorher behalfbeforethe Council or aCommittee of the Council convened forthat purpose. David Morcom Chief ExecutiveOfficer
Situations
Customer Consultant
Carpet Country, the regional leader in flooring, tiles, and window furnishings requires the services of Customer Consultant. If you have aproven track record in sales and love being creative, have an eye for colour, interior decoration and areal passion for outstanding
Be
GROUNDS MAINTENANCE
POSITION DESCRIPTION
Mowing Lawns -seasonal approx. 9cuts per year. Edging Gardening Maintaining Grounds
Spraying Whipper snipping
Must have all necessary insurances, equipment and ABN No.
Provider must submit aTax invoice monthly in arrears. Expression of interest close Friday 19th July at 4.00pm. Please include names and contact number of Referees: Further information -Contract for 12 months with possibility of extension contact Susie 5144 2111 or email: araluen.ps @education.vic.gov.au
Property Manager
Gippsland Real Estate, Sale is seeking ahighly motivated individual to join our professional team immediately, for an exciting career in the real estate industry. Due to the growth of the business, the team are searching for aProperty Manager for our sale office, that will be prepared to jump right in and take initiative, be customer focus and ready to work as ateam. The following attributes are considered important for the role: The following attributes are considered important for the role:
● Experience in acustomer service role
● Excellent presentation and people skills
● Excellent phone and personal communication skills
● Strong organizational skills.
● Ability to work as ateam.
● High level of attention to detail.
● Ability to work quickly, and take direction
● Strong computer skills including agraspofthe MS Office Suite
● Ability to work independently
● Acurrent drivers licence
● An Agents Representative Certificate (or willing to undertake the prescribed study course immediately)
Applications, including ashort handwritten cover letter, resume and two referees to: The Manager, Gippsland Real Estate, c/jarrod@gresale.com.au by Friday, July 19, 2024
-Times-Spectator, Tuesday, 9July, 2024
JOURNALIST
The Gippsland Times and Latrobe Valley Express arelooking for ajournalist to join our team.
This is afantastic opportunity for you to contribute to the communities in our region.
The role will include general news reporting in aregion with awealth of stories to be told about current challenges and future opportunities in addition to the normal story telling expected of alocal newspaper serving its community.
The ideal candidate will:
Haverelevant tertiaryqualifications
Have great communication skills, both verbal and written
Be able to write punchy,informative and excitingstories on arange of subjects
Possess great news sense and an understanding of what engages local readers
Have acurrent driver’s licence
Be motivated with acommitmentto accuracy and quality reporting
The position will be based in Sale.
The successfulapplicantwill reportto the Editor
Send aletter of application, resume, list of referees and work examples to:
The Editor -Liam Durkin
Gippsland Times ldurkin@lvexpress.com.au
Applications close: Friday, 19th July 2024.
Trucks &Tractors
Resting peacefully with
https://yallambee.com.au/ current-job-vacancies pa@yallambee.com.au
'Bro' Paul.
EGAN, Maree. It is with great sadness we extend our condolences to the Egan family on the passing of Maree on 1/7/2024
Alife so beautifully lived should be beautifully remembered
Much love from all at Ashleigh house
FARLEY, Brendan. 1/7/1978- 4/7/2024. Passed away peacefully at Sale Hospital on July 4, 2024 surrounded by his loving family.
Loving husband of Emma. Adored father of Matilda, Cassie, Xavierand Brodie. You fought so hard with this awful disease of cancer but unfortunately cancer won. You were our rock who always put his family first and also an amazing father to our four children. We are all going to miss you so much, this is not a goodbye this is see you later.
Please wear your favourite football colours to the funeral. GP1672165
Loved wife of Fred (dec.). Mother of David and Jayne, Christopher and friend of Rae.
Grandmother of Ben and Dana; Sharielle and Dallas; Felicity and Sam. Great grandmother of Conner and Shelby. Afriend to Rose.
Fred.
FARLEY, Brendan.
Wellington Athletic Club are deeply saddened by the passing of Brendan, an active member of our club, committee member and Vice President for many years. Brendan was so proud of his children's athletic achievements and awonderful supporter of all athletes. We would like to pass on our sincere condolences to Emma, Matilda, Cassie, Xavier and Brodie.
JOHNSON (nee McNaughton), Susan Patricia. Passed away peacefully on Friday, June 28, 2024 at Rosewood Aged Care, Ashburton, after along illness. Mother to Caroline; youngest daughter of Lois and Jack McNaughton (both dec.); sister to Margaret and Mary. May she rest in peace Funeral to be held TODAY (Tuesday, July 9) at 2pm at White Lady Funerals, Burwood.
MAHONEY, Edward Earl 1930 -2024
Passed away peacefully at Wilson Lodge Sale on Jun. 29, 2024 aged 94 Years.
Loved Son of Eustace and Emma Mahoney (both dec). Adored brother of Lorraine (dec), Audrey (dec), John, Mary (dec), Thomas (dec.), Ernest (dec) and Marjorie.
Beloved Uncle of Shane, Mark (dec), Joanne, Patricia, Michelle, Ashley, Annette, Michael and Patrick.
Cherished brother-in-law to Len, Preacy, Kevin (dec), Margot (dec), Laurie (dec), and Jim (dec).
PAGE Irene Bernice 1920-2024
Along journey, well lived and always enjoyed; not only by yourself, but by all who knew and loved you. We'll all miss enjoying the long talks and laughter over your fabulous sponges and acuppa. Your stories will go on and on. It's time to meet up with all the angels gone before you. Rest well Irene.
Denis (dec.), Sharon, David and Andrea, Michelle and Darren, Amanda and Greg. Great Grandchildren: William, Tenille, and Chelsea; Ryan, Tyson, and Damon; Alycia, and Cherie.
RICHARDSON (nee Mapley), Betty.
Formerly of Briagolong. Passed away peacefully at Ashleigh House on July 7, 2024. Aged 96 years.
Loved wife of Ben (dec.).
Lovedmother and mother-in-law of Ken and Anne, Lyn and Lee, and Terry.
Amuchloved grandmother and great grandmother.
ROSS (née Van Sluys)
Erica Sophia 10/12/1939 -5/7/2024
Died peacefully Friday morning at Maffra Hospital. Loved Wife of Geoffrey. Mother of Shane, Mark and Kim and their partners .Grandmother of eight, Great Grandmother of ten, and some lovely surprises to come.
Dear my beautiful wife Erica, thank you dearly for being by my side for 64 years and 62 years of marriage. Iwill always love and cherish the memories we shared and our time together raising our 3beautiful kids: Shane, Mark and Kim with their loving partners: Ginni, Tania and Tim. Also, the many beautiful grand and great- grandchildren you leave behind. Forever in my heart -your memory will always live on. Til we meet againyour forever loving husband Geoffrey.
Much loved and caring Mother of Shane. Fought to the end and as tough as an old boot! Loving and kind Mother-in-law of Ginni. Precious Nan of our kids Shorna &Justin, Clancy and Freddie; and wonderful Great-Nan to Jace and Ivy.
The best Mother to Mark and Tania. The best Grandmother to Joshua, Natalie and Bradley. The best Great Grandmother to Cooper, Nash, Mahli, Lacey ,M ac k en zie, Fletcher and Benjamin. The best friend to anyone who came into her life. Remembered dearly.
To Erica, Mum, Nan and Old Nan. You always lit up the room with your smile.
Your home cooked meals, playing cards, board games, singing and speaking Dutch were a true treasure for us all. You made us all feel loved. We will always remember you and keep your traditions alive. Lots of love, from the Coleman's: Tim, Kim, Shaun ,Rachelle, Lexi, Kerrin, Max and Kiara.
BOWYER-SMYTH, (nee Walker) Laura Jill
4.8.1945 -3.7.2024
Beloved wife and unconditional support to Laurie.
Lovingmother and mother-in-law to Cameron and Sally; Craig and Ting; Matt and Nitchta. Devoted Grandma to Lily, Vivienne and R.J.
Thanks to Dr Bruce Johnston and the compassionate and caring staff at Wattleglen.
Forever In Our Hearts
SMYTH (nee Walker)
Jill
4.8.1945 -3.7.2024 Beloved wife and unconditional support to Laurie. Loving motherand mother-in-law to Cameron and Sally; Craig and Ting; Matt and Nitchta. Devoted Grandma to Lily, Vivienne and R.J. Thanks to Dr Bruce Johnstonand the compassionate and caring staff at Wattleglen. Forever In Our Hearts
SMYTH,JILL
Aloyal friend. Sincere sympathy to Laurie and family. Ann and Peter Synan
SMYTH,JILL Long time supporter and valued friend. Sale Historical Society
TANTARO, Concetta
Cara Zia, We will miss you and of course your crostoli! We are so thankful our own families got to meet you, our 'extra Nonna'. To our extended family, we grieve with you and send our love.
Tanti Baci Zia Love Christine, Kris, Ruby and Grace and Sarah, Cory, Oscar, Audrey and Bronte.
TANTARO, Concetta (Connie). Cara Comara Concetta. Our friendship has been for over 55years, Iwill be lost without you but you will not be forgotten. Our stories will fill our hearts and your spirit will live on. To the Tantaro family our sincere condolences on the passing of your beautiful mother, my best friend. Riposa in pace Comara Love Maria Gravina and Family.
Funerals
ANSWER
For funeral arrangements for Mrs Lynette Answer, please check our website or Phone:
BOWYER-SMYTH
The funeral service for Mrs Laura Jill BowyerSmyth will be held at the Delbridge funeral Chapel, Marley Street, Sale at 1pm TOMORROW Wednesday July10, 2024, followed by a private cremation.
Please see our website for livestream details.
FARLEY. For funeral arrangements for Mr Brendan Ray
Farleyplease check website listed below or contact:
MAHONEY. The funeral of Mr Edward Earl Mahoney will leave our GeoffRossetti Memorial Chapel, 1390 Maffra Road, Sale after a service commencing at 12.30pm on WEDNESDAY (Jul. 10, 2024) for the adjoining Sale Lawn Cemetery. Light refreshments will be served following the service.
RICHARDSON (nee Mapley). For funeral arrangements for Mrs Betty Richardson, please visit our website or contact:-
ROSS (née Van Sluys)
For funeral arrangements for Mrs Erica Sophia Ross, please visit our website or contact:-
TANTARO. Requiem Mass for the repose of the soul of Mrs Conce tta (C onni e) Tantaro will be offered at St Mary's Cathedral corner Pearson and Foster Streets, Sale at 1pm TODAY (Tuesday July 9, 2024). Following Mass, the funeral will leave the above cathedral for the Sale Monumental Lawn Cemetery. For those unable to attend the Mass, alive stream broadcast will take placedetails on website below.
Donations in lieu of flowers welcome to Diabetes Victoria. Envelopes available at the Mass.
Funeral Directors
BENNETT, Edna and Lee July 4, 1982 The world changes from year to year, our lives from day to day; but the love and memory of you shall never pass away. Love Shane
Bereavement
GAW, John Thomas. 12/6/1945 -6/6/2024. Ruth, Joh and Anna would like to extend our sincere thanks to all those who visited, sent flowers, cards and lovely messages on the passing of John and attended the funeral or watched the livestream.
To Bradand Pal Semmens and their team thank you for your care and compassion in assisting us in this difficult time.
Special thanks to Dr Paul Dandy for his care of John. Please accept this as our personal thanks.
Honour your loved ones and share their story
When you lose someone close to you, it can be hard to put your thoughts and feelings into words
All notices placed in print also go in our digital edition Apersonal message in the Gippsland Times can say so much For friendly advice on how to place a message contact The Classifieds Department 5143 9333
When you lose someone close to you, it can be hard to put your thoughts and feelings into
For
advice on how to place a
Tennis: Not just asummer sport
SALE Tennis Club put its best foot forward when it hosted the 2024 O3K J125 Sale Open &Junior Event over the weekend.
The -1 degree foggy mornings grew into beautiful sunny Gippsland days as the tournament unfolded over the three days.
Despite persistent rain all the way until 6am last Friday, tournament organisers were still able to start at the scheduled time of 8.30am, proving theworth of thewellmaintained red porous courts forawinterevent.
The Open events were hard fought, with afield of 29 in the Open Men’s including avery pleasing number of Gippsland entrants. However by the 'pointy end' of the tournament, it was No. 6 seed Dion Gerbo from Keon Park Tennis Club in Reservoir and No. 5Seed KeaneChu,originally from the “bulldozedtomakeway for The Big Build” Boroondara Tennis Centre and now from Melbourne Park, that made up the first semi-final.
Keane won through to the final 6-2, 6-0. In the other semi-final, it was two unseeded players, 13-year-old Aarya Khore from The YLeisure CityinEpping and Walker Majera, originally from SouthCarolina in the USA, andnow based at Clyde Tennis Club. Aarya won through to the final 6-1, 6-1 having taken out the No. 3and 8Seeds in the earlier rounds.
In the finalonShowcourt 1, it was Keane who won through 6-2, 6-2 to clinch the title in ahigh quality game in front of the large crowd in the John Leslie Grandstand.
In the Open Women’s, unseeded 14-year-old, Bianca Hristov from Keon Park Tennis Club, stormed into the final.
Havingtaken out theNo. 1seed in the second round, she faced the No. 2Seed, 16-year-oldZahna Assi from The YLeisure City in Epping. After some great shot making in the final on Showcourt 2, the highly entertaining match ended witha6-2, 6-1 victory to Bianca.
Sale Tennis Club President, Robin Lowe praised the great work of club volunteers.
“Club coach Jason Yap, as our Tournament Director did asensational job. The Tennis Australia Tournament Referee was forced to withdraw due to afamily tragedy.With no late replacement available Jason had to fill both roles. He did this
with atournament field of 116 players and afair share of dramas,” Lowe said.
He added thatfeedback fromthe playerswas "universally positive”.
“Other club volunteers ensured the courts, clubhouse and grounds were well prepared, baked homemade treats, served in the canteen, did social media posts and largely ensured that all players and visitors to the club were given afriendlyGippsland welcome."
"We are immensely proud of all of them."
The tournament was supported by aWellington Shire Community Assistance Grant. It is estimated that the tournament brought more than $110,000 to Wellington Shire over the three days of the event.
Full results
Open Women’s: Bianca Hristov def Zahna Assi
Open Men’s: Keane Chu def Khore
Open Men’s Doubles: Yamaan Bushnaq and Keane Chu def Dereson Kim and Stuart McNeice
10 &Under Boys Singles: LawrenceZhang def Ryder Ferrel
10 &Under Girls Singles: Ella Liu def Annika Shankar
10 &Under Boys Doubles: Ryder Ferrel and Lawrence Zhang def Ollie Brayshaw and Sebastion Jones
12 &Under Boys Singles: Petar Magic def Eshan Shankar
12 &Under Girls Singles: SiennaRikken def Kailin Smith
12 &Under Girls Doubles: Amber Chang and Jenny Jindef Charlotte Jurkic and Sienna Rikken
12 &Under Boys Doubles: Henry Grattan and Eshan Shankar def Jiahua Zhang and Shiran Zhou
14 &Under Girls Singles: Bianca Hristov def Mia Mitris
14 &UnderBoysSingles: MohammedBenmin def AaryaKhore
14 &Under Boys Doubles: Sam Huang and Ricky Li def Kutay Erekinci and Kailan Griffin
16 &Under Girls Singles: Zahna Assi def Bella Prince
16 &UnderBoysSingles: Saheb Waraich def Peter Kalinovski
16 &Under Boys Doubles: Heath Kamphuis and Noah Keltie def Louis Lazzaro and Andrew Thompson
Former Salejunior and nowBairnsdale-based ScottMcDonald wassuper competitive in the Opens Men’s Singles
Walker Majera fires in apowerful first serve in his OpenDoublesmatch with his partner Tim Dunnett from Sale
Ella Liu defeated AnnikaShankar (left) in theUnder 10 Girls final at the 03k J125 Sale Juniorand Open Tournament
Under 10 Boys Doubles finalists. Ryder Ferrell and Lawrence Zhang(right) of Sale defeated Ollie Brayshawand Sebastian Jones Photos: Sale Tennis Club
Gippy League begins July Test
Liam Durkin
THE Gippsland League returns from aleague-wide bye this weekend.
Round 13 presents the first lot of games for the month of July, as time is nowbecoming an increasing factor for teams trying to book aticket to the September stage.
While Julyistraditionally thehardest month on the footy calendar, its importance arguably runs second only to September.
Teams that are able to negotiate July positively generally find themselves with astrong platform to launch from as finals approach.
It’s what Western Bulldogs champion (is it inaccurate to say premiership captain?) Bob Murphy dubs “the July Test”.
But within that test lies acomplexity, as finals are still some distance away.
“It’s kind of no man’s land in the footy season,” Murphy said in 2019.
The month presentsa further myriad of challenges, requiring players to embrace the grind of longer, colder and darker nights at training, and icier, windier and wetter afternoons on game day.
Coaches will need to devise ways to combat this, and drawingonaneventfrom the 19th century could offer something of an analogy.
Backin1812, Napoleondecideditwould be a good idea to invade Russia. What he failed to take into account though was justhow damn cold it gets over there. As aresult, he lost half of his 500,000 strong army in six weeks.
If any footycoacheshaveambitions of ruling like Napoleon,their greatest challengecould be to come out of winter with as many, if not more, troops than they did heading in.
As apostscript,the failedRussian invasion all butshattered Napoleon’s reputation.
That same fate could meet anumberofcoaches before the 2024 season is out.
SALE faces asimple equation.
The Magpies, two points clear in fourth, need to beat Warragul on the road.
By virtue of alogjam of teams, Sale could find themselves in the top threebythe endofthe round, but equally, could also be out of the top five.
In order to achieve the former, the Magpies would need to win by the best part of 150 points and rely on Moe losing to Traralgon.
Amarginlikethat might seem unrealistic, although it is not totally outside the realmsof possibility, especially given Sale’s scoring power.
The Magpies have just about as many points for as againstthis season,indicatingwhile they can be
scored heavily against, they can more than make up for it at the other end.
WithBrad Dessentatfullforward, playing-coach JackJohnstone andunderratedgoal sneak Tom Campbell all in the mix, Sale has plenty of firepower in its front half.
The Guls certainly won’t be walkovers, and have shown great signs this season, beating top three side Moe and giving Traralgon ahuge fright.
However, with finals all but out of the equation, motivation could be lacking within, so the time might be just about right for Sale to roll into town and show absolutely no mercy.
BAIRNSDALE has virtually the same assignment as Sale.
The sixth-placed Redlegs make the trip to play bottom-side Maffra, meaning awin is the absolute only acceptable outcome as far as the visitors are concerned.
Bairnsdale has won as many games as it has lost, perhaps not reflecting just how competitive they have been for large chunks of the season.
At their best, the Redlegs have shown terrific form, pumping Sale; and Wonthaggi when they had Sparkes and former Collingwood player Issac Chugg playing.
Unfortunately Bairnsdale has justlacked finishing quality on numerous occasions, and as aresult, fouroftheirsix losses have beenbysix,10, five and five points.
Maffra meanwhile still has timeonits side to avoid the wooden spoon, but will likely need to pick up at least two more wins in the last six games in order to do so.
Admittedlythe Eagles are undernoillusions as to the huge rebuild taking place, and withnoshortage of quality youngsters coming through, it might not be too long before Maffra is back contesting in Grand Finals they seemingly made at will during the last decade.
Thatrecent history hasarguablymadethe rebuild easier for supporters and stakeholders to cop, as success is not atotally ancient memory (premierships in 2016 and 2019).
Richmondperhaps offers an appropriatecomparison for Maffra currently.
The AFL Tigers are coming last at the moment, but with three flags in the last seven years, there is nowhere near the same hysteria or baying for blood as there was when Richmondclaimed wooden spoons in 2004 and 2007.
If another club withoutMaffra’s success was coming last in the Gippsland League, things such as crisis talks,mergers and changing leagueswould likely be topics of discussion.
It doesn’t take much to drive anarrative in footy.
VALLEY rivals Moe and Traralgon meet at Ted Summerton Reserve.
As if the match wasn’t already going to be hotly contested,aplaceinside the top two awaits the victor.
Both sideshave won eight gamesthis season, but the Maroons holdsecondspotbytwo points courtesy of their drawagainst Morwell in Round 9 (greatest home-and-away game ever don’t forget).
Those searching for atip might wanttolook at the fact Moe and Traralgon have each played clubhouse leaders Leongatha in the last two rounds.
The Lions defeatedthe Parrots in Round 10, while the Maroons lost to the same opposition the next week.
Aweeks rest will hopefullyinject some enthusiasm for both sides, who had looked somewhat shaky throughout June.
Following the draw against Morwell, Traralgon only beat Bairnsdalewith afailed kick after the sirenfrom the Redlegs, and were then four goals down at halftime againstaWarragul team with only threewins to their name in 2024.
Thatformpossiblycame to aheadagainst Leongatha, which the Parrots won quite comfortably by 34 points.
Moe meanwhile started June with aloss to Warragul, and likeTraralgon,grabbed victory following their own post-siren escape against Wonthaggi.
If decentweather presents itselfonSaturday, spectators couldbetreated to some freeflowing play, as Traralgon has averaged the best part of 90 points this season minus the two games against Leongatha.
The Maroons may have aclearer avenue to goal given Moe playing-coach Declan Keilty has shifted from centre half back to centre half forward in recent weeks, but by the same token, this might now make Traralgon interceptor Tye Hourigan more accountable.
Hourigan’s speciality has been his ability to drift in and take intercept marks at will, however, much likeTom Stewart at Geelong,ifheisforced to play as more of aknockabout defender, his impact could be severely limited.
Moe will be helped by having no Gippsland Power this weekend, meaning the trio of Tom Matthews, Max Woodall and Liam Masters should be available for their home club.Seniorvicecaptain Harri Sim is alsoexpectedtoreturn, and was back movinginthe last game, fulfilling the role of match day runner.
The Lions have atough three weeks ahead, all for different reasons, starting withTraralgon, then the road trip to Bairnsdale and afollow-up trip to the Drouin mud pit.
MORWELL has its turn rolling around in the Drouin mud.
The Tigers will simply be looking to get through this game withthe four points intact, and hope their white shorts are still usablefor the nextaway game
While driving through the gates at Drouin can be naturally deflating at the best of times for any visiting team -yet alone during the middleof winter -players will at least know what they will be confronted with.
For this reason alone, there should be no surprises,and logic would suggest it won’t be a shootout either.
If Morwell can manage twogoals aquarter,it might well be enough.
The Tigershaveafew players with experience playing on more ‘rural’ surfaces, whocould well shine at Drouin.
TylerBrown would have playedinafew mud heapsduring his time with Yallourn Yallourn North in their Mid Gippsland days, likewise Harri McColl at Yinnar.
Conditions aside, Morwell needs to win this game to stay in the finals hunt.
The Tigers are currently two points clear of sixthplaced Bairnsdale and Wonthaggi, who look to be planning arun home like afreight train.
COULD this be the moment Wonthaggi announce themselves?
The stage appears set for the resurgent Power, who travel to Leongatha having won theirlastthree games to hold awin-loss record of 6-6.
The sharp turnaround has coincided with some expert management on the part of Wonthaggi playing-coach Jarryd Blair, who has nursed most of his first-choice players back and then added some before clearances closed.
Blair nabbed his Collingwood premiershipteammate Nathan Brown before the June 30 deadline, while it is understood Ryan Sparkes,who was with Collingwood in the VFL,has committed to his home club for the rest of the season.
The new andmore permanent magnets have meant Wonthaggi has gone from looking ashell of the team that played in theGrand Final lastyear, to one thatcould absolutely finish outside the top three and stillgodeep in finals.
ASouth GippslandShowdownnow awaits, and the Power couldfindthemselvesinside the top five by the end of the round.
Projecting further ahead, Wonthaggi plays Traralgon next week, before arun of three games where it will likely start favourite.
If they win the games they are expected to, it will take them to nine wins by Round 17, meaning the last home-and-awaygame of the season against Moe in Wonthaggi could determine the Power’s fate.
Tough technicality for Reeves in title bout
Blake Metcalf-Holt
STRATFORD professional boxer Max
Reeves lost atough IBO Youth World Light Heavyweight Title bout to Tonga Tongotongo on Saturday night.
Reeves lost in the sixth round to the New South Welshmen via technical knockout that had experts claiming it as aFight of the Yearcontender.‘Mad Max’ Reeves had been controlling muchofthe fight, winning practically every round up untilthat point, before Tongotongo launchedashocking counterattack midway through the finishing round as referee Joe Cortez stopped the fight, sensing Reeve's likely demise.
The losswas Reeves' first of his career, now moving his record to 11-1. Tongotongameanwhile continued his hot streak,bringing his career to 8-0, although this was his first by traditional knockout.
Many in the audience of Melbourne’s Pullman Hotel (a majority appearing to be ‘Mad Max’ supporters) and the fight’s commentators were surprised by Cortez’s decisiontoend the fight prematurely considering Reeves had been on top of Tongotongo at almost every turn and landed many more punches.
The fight began with both combatants feeling each other out as they circled in the ring with light jabs to test their strengths and weaknesses.
Reeves hadthe clear and obvious advantage from his stature alone, standingat188cm to Tongotongo’s 175cm and with a16cmbetterreach that meant Reeves towered over Tongtongo with easier opportunities to lay hits.
Reeves kept cool with firm, exact jabs into Tongotongo’s face, whichopened up the opening round alittle more.
Tongtongo did have asignificant burst through the second round with some hefty upper cuts and swings that showcasedthe power he couldexert
despite his shorter height. Despite Reeves still landing more punches, Tongotongo won his only round before the fight’s stoppage. Reeves wouldcome out withaforce, putting on an absolute boxing clinic for
the next three rounds, with huge hits and strong jabs that counteredanything Tongotongo offered up during the period.
In the final minutes of the fourth round, Reeves unloadedontoTongotongo,pushing him into the corner as following that
passage it appearedReeves was in for a certain victory, especially after he had Tongtongo stumbling near the end of the fifth roundwith an epic combo of punches.
The sixth round was the furthest
anyone had everpushed Tongtongo, and with the ringside doctor on-hand to check on the fighter’s left eye during the break, it looked as if Reeves simply had to finish the job.
As both fighters sucked in as much oxygen as humanly possible,entering what would be the final round of action, Tongotongo landedamiracle right-hand swing that he had been trying to land all fightlong andsensed that he had finally chinkedReeves armour.Tongtongo went in for the kill.
The momentumshifted so drastically, everyone in the room including Reeves was shocked at what Tongtongohad unearthed,asReeves attempted to slide away from his opponent as he unleashed abarrage
Two huge final blows that pushed Reeves onto the ropes made referee Cortez’s mind up as he ended the fight to the amazement of the crowd and the callers.
Despite the disappointing result, Reeves was humble in defeated and comforted an emotional Tongotongo during the aftermath in the ring.
“It was ahell of afight… Ijust want to say congrats to Tonga and his team. He’s ahell of afighter, he bopped me a few times,” Reeves said post-fight.
“I’m not too disappointed, Ican still go up from here and it’s only the beginning for myself.”
Tongotongo, with many things flying throughhis head upon his win, found time to acknowledge Reeves’ performance and offered him aspotat his local gym.
“I’m shocked right now. Ilost my oldersister at the start of the year, and this is astepcloser to the promise land,” Tongotongo said in his post-fight interview.
“Thank you, Max… you’re more than welcome to come to New South Wales (and) come to my gym, (it’s) alwaysopen for you, brother.”
Stratford boxer‘MadMax’ Reeves suffered his first career loss to Tonga Tongtongo in theIBO Youth WorldLight Heavyweight Championshipfight at Pullman Hotel, Melbourne on Saturdaynight Photo: Contributed
CHEYENNE
Friday,July5
Collingwoodvs Essendon(MCG)(N))
Saturday,July6
NorthMelbuornevs.GoldCoastSuns (MRVL)
PortAdelaidevs.WesternBulldogs(AO) Geelongvs.Hawthorn(GMHBA) GWSGiantsvs.Carlton(ES)(N) Fremantlevs.Richmond(OS)(N)
Sunday,July7
Melbournevs.WestCoastEagles(MCG) StKildavs.Sydney(MRVL) BrisbaneLionsvs.AdelaideCrows(G)
NORTH GIPPSLAND
SENIORS
GOALS:
IWheeler.Rosedale: LStuckey BSafstromDBarnett C MooreMLazzaroS Fox
6.3 9.6 14.7 (91) WOODSIDE 2.2 7.4 8.6 10.7 (67) GOALS: TTU: JNeilson 4B White2 FBrouns 2H Willaton 2JJacobsen FShields SGoddard MJacobsen. Woodside: MO’Sullivan 3C Whiteoak 2J Williams 2DFarmerJKennedy JFythe BEST: TTU: GSinclair ZKilgowerOAliotta BWhiteH Willaton JNeilson. Woodside: JMorgan AJanssen CWhiteoak BJohnson BStainer JFythe
SALECITY4.7 11.11 19.13 27.16 (178)
1.5 3.7 (25)
COWWARR 0.2
GOALS: Sale City:F Read 6MEvans 5KMartin 4JAllison 3H Tollner 2KMcCulloch2K Sellings BMcKay BMacgregor-Davies OWaugh JSchuback.Cowwarr:KHughes JKirkS Alexander BEST: Sale City: KMartin KMcCulloch CWhitehill HTollnerJAllison BMcKay Cowwarr:R Farnham SAlexander HHectorMLeicester bHoodLBourke
17.8 (110)
CHURCHILL 5.1 8.2
YARRAM 1.7 3.10 8.12 10.13 (73)
GOALS: Churchill: BHolt 10 JWhykes 2KHolt JWilliams JFenech TSevensonJHasell Yarram: JSwift2JDavis KGriffiths LHunter WBrunton BMottonL Earles BEST: Churchill: BHolt BFlanigan NMcRae JWhykes KHolt JFenech. Yarram: BMottonKPearce LBentley T Chisholm JDavis MClavarino GLENGARRY7.4 11.7 13.16 18.23 (131)
GORMANDALE 2.0 6.0 6.1 7.5 (47)
GOALS: Glengarry: BTruin 7JBurgess
Wildcats suffer first loss
Liam Durkin
HOW much and yet how little changes in North Gippsland football.
While Round 12 returned afew eye-brow raisingresults, and one especially astonishing performance,byand largeitwas another concerning weekend featuring lopsided margins.
The top of the table clash between Woodside and Traralgon Tyers United all but reconfirmed what has already been generally accepted in most league circles, that it willtakesomethingdrasticfor either of those two sides not to make it to asecond consecutive Grand Final.
Both teams are three games clear on top of the ladder, with the Wildcats holding prime position for now, despite losing at the weekend.
At the other end of the scale, concerns are surely heightened by the sightofthe bottom three teams being the same bottomthree teams from last year,and the year before that.
IS history about to repeat itself?
TTU moved to equal firstonthe ladder following victory over Woodside.
Just six points separated the teams, before the visitors kicked five goalstotwo in the final term to win 14.7 (91) to 10.7 (67).
Up until then, the match had everything one would expect from the two best teams in the competition, and spectators were treated to acontest reflecting this.
The result wasthe Bombers’ best result for the year, and puts them in prime position mentally and mathematically to complete the task of winning back-to-back flags.
Jye Neilson kicked four goals for the winners, and receivedgoodsupportfrom veteran Guy Sinclair, Zach Kilgower, Oscar Aliotta, Beau White and Hayden Willaton.
Best for Woodside was Jeremy Morgan, Adam Janssen, Cameron Whiteoak,Ben Johnson, Brody Stainer and Jon Fythe.
Both sideswill likely take positives and mentalnotes out of the game, and look forward to arematch in September.
(36)
GOALS: Churchill: BBrereton6LBrereton2 MRiley PKhamphawa JEffenbergLBye.Yarram HDiehl KLight CPotrich DDiehl BEST: Churchill: BKokshoorn BBreretonJ EffenbergL Brereton BMogford. Yarram: SHarveyJ James TDaldy CCarrison CPotrich MMcmahon
(77)
GOALS: Heyfield: JBurton3 SAnderson2 MJohnston TBoyle WKnightR Powney BDinsdale BMorris. Rosedale: THenderson LBurgan SCallahan. BEST: Heyfield: DBriggs SDonahoe SAndersonBDarby CWilson MJohnston. Rosedale: LLossbergCJanssen cPritchett T Henderson WMuir JMurray
3.5 4.8 7.11 (53)
1.0 1.3
(23) GOALS: Glengarry: LNoble 2DOates RTurner ZChristensen RNguoth EKocaali. Gormandale: ZGuttridge2 JKrimhand. BEST: Glengarry: NPeel SBurgess RNguoth EKocaali MTulloch LDawson. Gormandale: Details N/A LADDER
U18THIRDS
Woodside:
(119)
Mattern 2J Vanderveen. BEST: TTU: ZBastin TCrosbyD LongmoreJ Colaciello RDenovan TSpagnolo.Woodside: JVanderveenF Cupples CRoberts JMattern MMattern THall
(34)
Churchill: TCrawford6LHecker5 WTowers3 SCheffers MBerechree DCarstein DTomsR Berg. Yarram: BStaleyLRoberts RMcAlpine CEarles JApiata. BEST: Churchill: D Carstein MGrimes LHeckerH Berechree TCrawfordDFehlberg. Yarram: LEarles CEarles L Roberts LRendell RMcAlpine JSheedy
0.4
(27) GOALS: Gormandale: MVelasco2K Whitney 2T Kanara MCropley ZJewked LLigthartB Smith. Glengarry: JMoloneyA RigbyC Whitehead BEST: Gormandale: WRhodesK Whitney JCochraneMCropley ZNolan BForrest. Glengarry: JBach
The Wildcats were without gun midfielder Mark Collison, while TTU still has afew players to return,including key forward Caleb Michie.
Collison might be counting his lucky stars after his decision to leave the post of Warragul Industrialscoach late lastyear, following some wild allegations involving the club’s finances came to hand recently.
While Collison’s football smarts arewell credentialed, his foresight to get out whenhe didarguably places his intellect evenhigher.
Adding another layer to the story,the man who was parachuted in at the last minute to coach the Dusties,Michael Duncan, coached Woodside in the previous four years.
Granted football and politicsnever make a good mix, Duncan has perhaps suffered more injustices than most coaches ever will. He was let go by TTU despite taking the team to consecutive finalsseries,and fought off no shortageofdebate surrounding player points and salary cap concessions during his time at Woodside.
Put the Dusties experience on top of it, and you have the makings of adecent movie.
YOU can’t buy experience.
Especially more than 40 years of it.
Brendan Holtdefied allissuesrelated to ageism at the weekend, to lead Churchill to an incredible victory over Yarram.
The Cougars,who beforelastweekend
looked on track to miss the finals for the first time in some 30 years, kept their season alive with a17.8(110) to 10.13 (73) win at Gaskin Park.
Taking centre stage was Holt. Now closer to 50 than he is to 40, the Cougars veteran kicked an astonishing 10 goals on his home deck.
Taking on opponents most of whom weren’t even born when he started playing senior football, the old timer showed he absolutely still has it.
Holt’s effort saw the Cougars jump to afive goal to one head start at quarter time. While Yarram reduced the margin to 17 points at the final change of ends, there was simply no stopping the man in the number 36 jumper wearing the blue and gold.
Holt was aclear best-on-ground, and was joined by his son Kurt among the most prominent.
Others to play well were Bailey Flanigan, NathanMcRae,Joey Whykes and coach Jordan Fenech.
By all reports,Fenech had planned for Holt to play in defence this season, but with key forwards Ben Kearns out, Blake Slater needed at bothendsand ChrisWagman movingtoMorwell East,the goal square needed to be occupied by someone.
Holt has taken to this role seamlessly, and appears to be getting even better with age, if that is even possible.
He has been named in the best more times this year (nine) than he has in the previous three combined.
Perhaps lost in the Holt Show was the fact Yarram’s Josh Swift kicked his 1000th career goal.
The moment came through whatwas some prettysloppy defence,leaving Swift unmanned in the goal square after ahigh ball came in.
The opportunistic Swift pounced, snapping through one of his two majors.
The 1000 total was made up of goals kicked by Swift for Yarram in both seniors and reserves, and afew from his stints at Yinnar and MDU, as well as Highett in the Southern Football League.
Boadie Motton,Kayleb Pearce, Liam Bentley, Tate Chisholm,Jacob Davis and Matt Clavarino were best for Yarram.
Remarkably, the Demons are still equalthirdonthe ladder, despite dropping games to Rosedale andnow Churchill.
WILL this be the start of Heyfield’s run?
The Kangaroos bounced back into the top five at the weekend, trading places with Rosedale after winning 15.10 (100) to 7.9 (51).
Making the trip to Rosedale presented an initial challenge for Heyfield, although by halftime they had the game under control for the most part.
Asix goal to twothird quarter extendedthe lead to 51 points at the final break, which was virtually the margin when fulltime was called.
Ironically, Victoria’s wintry weathercarried benefits for Heyfield, as the Gippsland Power game against Tasmania was cancelled due to the Tasmanian team being unable to fly across Bass Strait, meaning Asher Eastham became available for his home club.
Eastham was among the best for the Kangaroos, along with Max Van Der Zwart, Kyle Graham, Kail Hole, Tyson Graham and Isaac Wheeler.
LukeStuckey, Blake Safstrom, Declan Barnett, Caleb Moore, Max Lazzaro and Spencer Fox were best for Rosedale.
On the surface at least, there might not be much more room for improvementfor
the Blues, who were at 44 out of 45 player points (admittedly afew of those players were Rosedale juniorswho automatically attract three points each).
Heyfield by contrast only used 26/40, with 21 out of the 22 one pointers.
The Kangaroos had fourplayers kickthree goals, and could still have playing coach Leigh Brown to come back and provide even more goal scoring power.
Heyfieldisnow fifth on the ladder with 24 points, equal with Rosedale, but could easily get to 10 wins in the next five weeks to claim the double chance.
The Kangarooshave avery easy run home, playing Glengarry, and Gormandale, as well as Yarram and Churchill, who could both be playing for their seasons by then.
GLENGARRY’S win was great for only one club.
The Magpies sang the song for just the second time this season, after beating Gormandale 18.23 (131) to 7.5 (47).
Thehomeside put up seven goals in the first quarter, and were rarely challenged from there, although the Tigers did manage four goalsoftheir own in the second.
One of Glengarry’s great servants and survivor of the 2013premiership, Ben Truin, kicked seven goals in abest-on-ground performance.
Jack Burgess added four of his own, while Callum Mitchell, Cassidy Bartley, Tom Harris, Jordan Thomas and Mitch Harris were prominent.
Kodie Owen, Tristan Salerno, Tyler Kanara, Chris Potalej, Hayden Richards and Isaac Copelandbattled hard for Gormandale.
While the Magpies had adeserved victory to celebrate, if there is to be any changes in local footy moving forward, the fact the second-last team is beating the last team by 84 points is surely ared flag.
ANOTHER red flag might have presented itself in Cowwarr.
The Saints were completely wiped off the park by Sale City to the tune of 153 points, 27.16 (178) to 3.7 (25).
And Sale City are coming seventh.
The Bulldogs do admittedly have ahost of key players who work offshore, and some of them were available at the weekend.
KaneMartinisone, and he was beston-ground, kicking four goals. Fynn Read filled his boots with six, and Mitch Evans did similar with five.
Others to play well were Kaden McCulloch, Cooper Whitehill, Hudson Tollner, Jayden Allison and Brad McKay.
Allisonand McKay were playing just their fifth and fourth game respectively for the year, and the Bulldogs will be hoping to have them available from here on in.
Sale City is only one game outside the top five, and is looking the side most likely to displace eitherYarram or Heyfield when the final five is sorted.
For Cowwarr meanwhile, this was arguably their biggest step backwards this season.
The offseason recruiting drive that netted gunforward Keenan Hughes from Yallourn YallournNorthand midfielder Haydn Hector from Traralgon has provided some help, but with only two wins so far thisseason, delivery has perhaps not met expectation. In total fairness to Hughes, he cannot do much more than what he has -47goals in 11 games, while Hector has only got on the park six times.
Hector battled hard at the weekend,as did RobbieFarnham,Sean Alexander, Matt Leicester, Brady Hood and Lee Bourke. YALLOURN Yallourn North had the bye.
Josh Swift (left)kicked his 1000th career goal at the weekend). He is pictured with Griffin Underwood after both reached
Photo: File
Cowwarrchampions honoured
Blake Metcalf-Holt
COWWARR Football-NetballClubwelcomed past footballers who sharedinwearingthe Saints colours of red, white and black recently, by chiselling their names onto the club’s changeroom player lockers. Not literally chiselled, but lifemembers and past players of more than 200 club gamesand/ or 100 seniors games gathered in the Cowwarr changerooms and ceremoniously ripped tape off the wall to unveil their past champions in writing
that will remain there for years.
“It was really good. We got them all in there and put abit of masking tape (on) to cover them all up… we had abunch of older players, past players thatranged up to 90-years-old,” Cowwarr FNC
President, Jim Wire said.
"Clubmen and members of the 1963, 1973 and 1974 premiership teams still with us made the trip, as well as family members representing diseased players to unmask their names."
Playersfromthe club’spremierships in 1987(an
11-point win against Heyfield) and 2006 (defeating Rosedale by 20 points) were also presented.
The 2006 premiership captain, Matt Cameron, was the first name to be unveiled, andwas revealed by wife Hayleyand his two young daughters as he wasnot present due to work commitments.
Michael McNulty, Don Veale,Rob Ferguson and Kevin Woodall made theirway to the rooms to see their names unveiled.
Thosewho haveplayed 300 games for the Saints, McNulty, Ferguson, Roger Farley, Luke Cooper,
Netball scoreboard
NORTH GIPPSLAND -ROUND 12
AGRADE: Sale City 50 def Cowwarr 38, Woodside
55 def TTU42, Heyfield 42 def Rosedale 40, Glengarry 59 def Gormandale 37,Churchill 84 def Yarram 23, YYN -BYE.
BGRADE:Sale City 65 def Cowwarr 27,Woodside 55 def TTU36, Heyfield 47 def Rosedale33, Gormandale 58 def Glengarry32, Churchill 57 def Yarram 55, YYN -BYE.
CGRADE:Sale City35def Cowwarr 21,Woodside 45 def TTu31, Rosedale 32 def Heyfield 23, Glengarry 42 def Gormandale 24, Churchill 33 def Yarram 24, YYN -BYE.
DGRADE:Sale City 31 defCowwarr 25, TTU40 def Woodside 29, Rosedale 46 def Heyfield 24, Glengarry31def Gormandale27, Churchill 47 def Yarram 15,YYN -BYE.
17 ANDUNDER:Sale City 97 def Cowwarr 5, TTU 48 def Woodside 11,Rosedale 35 def Heyfield 17,Glengarry29def Gormandale21, Churchill55 def Yarram 18,YYN -BYE.
15 ANDUNDER:Sale City 73 def Cowwarr 4, TTU 36 def Woodside 17,Rosedale 26 def Heyfield 23, Glengarry 26 def Gormandale 23, Churchill 36 defYarram 13,YYN -BYE.
GippyPower game cancelled
GIPPSLAND Power boys had their match against Tasmania cancelled at the weekend.
The Round 14 clash in the Coates Talent League did not go ahead due to travel delays.
Tasmaniawerescheduled to fly into Melbourne and then make theirway to Highgate Reserve, Cragieburn.
All other games across the round went ahead.
Locals selected in the Gippsland Power team were Harry Tatterson(Sale), Max Stobie, Zac O'Keefe, Noah Christy (Maffra),
LeeCooper, Andrew
and past players day.
EAST GIPPY BACK THIS WEEKEND
The East Gippsland Football-Netball League returnsthis Saturday(July 13) following aleague-wide bye.
Six rounds remain in the home-and-away season, beforefinals commence on the weekend of August 24.
Boisdale-Briagolong and Stratfordare both currentlyinthe topfour on the senior football ladder,and areontrack to playfinals
The Swansholdatwo-game lead on fifth-placed Orbost Snowy Rovers,while the Bombersare equal-first with Wy Yung and Lucknow.
In AGrade netball, Stratfordisthird and Boisdale-Briagolong fourth.
The Swanshavewon their last five games to be equal-second with Wy Yung,and the Bombersare agame clear fromOSR.
ROUND 12
Saturday,July 13 (venue firstlisted team)
Boisdale-Briagolong vs LakesEntrance (at Boisdale Rec)
LindenowvsLucknow
Paynesville vs Orbost Snowy Rovers
Asher Eastham, Mitch Stevens (Heyfield)and Lewis Robbins,who has moved to Maffra from Warragul Industrials.
Eastham and Stevens ended up playing for Heyfield, while the others had the day off due to the Gippsland League bye.
Power remain sixth on the ladder, and will next play on Sunday, July 21 against Western Jets at Morwell Recreation Reserve.
Power girlsnext playSaturday,July 20 against Bendigo Pioneers at Highgate.
Hollands, and senior games record holder, Shane Morgan were bestowed. As another special treat for the visiting past players, 1984 and 1985 Essendon premiership player Terry Daniher visited to tell some old stories from the VFL days as apart of the club’s life members, sponsors,
Cowwarr Football-Netball Club senior games recordholder,ShaneMorgan in frontofthe No. 12 locker nowbearing hisname.
Cowwarr 2006 premiership player,Don Veale.
Heyfield edges past Rosedale in netball thriller
Blake Metcalf-Holt
NORTH Gippsland netball was afforded ahigher notice at the weekend, as the Gippsland League andEast Gippsland Football-Netball League had league-widebyes.
Round 12 of NorthGippsland netball showcased some closermatches that brought ahigher level of intensity and focus to the table for sides battling it out at the top of ladder for spots in play beyond regular season action.
Sale City continued their unblemished run, defeating Cowwarr 50 to 38 at Cowwarr.
The Bulldogswill now prepare for an all-out clash against fellow top-four team, Woodside this weekend.
Cowwarr, who still put up avaliant effort against the clear favourites, sit with awin-loss record of 3-8, but could be right back on the winner’s list in due time with agame against similar-placed Yallourn Yalloutn North next round.
Heyfield edged past Rosedale 42-40.
The result kept the Kangaroos in third position on the ladder and avoidedanunwantedtwo week winless stretch after losing to Woodside the week before.
Rosedale could have had one of their best wins of the season at home and potentially jumped Traralgon Tyers United for fifth-place with an alternative result, but will have to make do with sixth on the ladder for the time being.
Glengarry had no problem withGormandale, winning 59-37 at home.
TheMagpies are makingtheirsecond half push forfinals, sitting just agame back of TTU for fifth alongside Rosedale
The Magpies have had two comfortable wins against Gormandale and Yarram in recent weeks, but will now face amuch tougher challengein Heyfield coming up.
Gormandale has only won asinglewin for the year and sit second-bottom on the ladder.
Woodside wastoo good for TTU, coming out 55-42 winners on their home court.
The Wildcats hold onto atop four positiononthe ladder and momentarily avoid the clutter of sides battling it out for the remaining spots in the finals TTU, at 6-5 for the year, will now prepare for a fiery contest against Rosedale that could see some shifts on the ladder.
Churchill dismantled Yarram, 84-23, bringing theCougars to arecord of 9-1 on their season for second-place on the ladder. Churchillhas now won seven games in arow, most definitely as the clear contendertothe top-ranked SaleCity outfit. Yarram continue awinless season but will be rested with aweek off this weekend.
YYN had the bye.
Swing of things
Scoreboard-Page31
Local hopefuls vied for gloryinthe Sale Junior and Open Tournament over three days at the Sale Tennis Club.
Promising young player, Louis Lazzarowas among them, pictured in his Day 1OpenMen's Singles match.
LongfordCricket Club among recipients
THE state government recently announced 119 successful recipients of the 2023-24Change Our Game Community Activation Grants Program, which includes Longford Cricket Club.
The program delivers grants of up to $10,000 to communitysport andrecreationclubs to help inspirewomen and girls to take part –including new women’s programs, hosting awomen’s round as well as opportunities for club leadership roles.
The state government says the initiativewill provideleadershipdevelopment for women both on and off the field –promoting aculture of diversity and inclusion.
The program will also support Female Football Gippsland to hold two consecutive AFL gather rounds in Gippsland for 23 women and girl’s teams -taking place at one location across two days with around 480 participants.
Ministerfor Community Sport Ros Spence congratulated recipients, saying there would be many benefits.
“These grants are drivingchange for women and girls right across Victoria and providing new ways to take part in the sports they love within their own local communities,” she said.
Through the Fair Access Policy Roadmap, launched in August 2022, and the Community ActivationGrants Program, the state government aims to help community sporting organisations achievemoreequitable access and increase the number of women and girls actively taking part in their club.
"Since 2018, more than $2.9 million in funding has been providedto580 communitysport and recreation clubs as part of the Labor government’s $18.8 million commitment to the Officefor Women in Sport and Recreation and Change Our Game
initiative," agovernment spokesperson said. The announcement was welcomed by Director of the Office for Women in Sport and Recreation, Sarah Styles.
“I look forward to seeing how the opportunitiessupportedthrough the Change Our Game Community Activation GrantsProgram drive practices that support alevel playing field for women andgirls in community sport and active recreation across Victoria,” she said. For more information, visit changeourgame.vic. gov.au
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Photo: Erika Allen